Wireless extension to an irrigation control system and related methods

ABSTRACT

Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/458,535,filed Jul. 19, 2006, entitled WIRELESS EXTENSION TO AN IRRIGATIONCONTROL SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/701,436, filed Jul. 19, 2005, entitledIRRIGATION CONTROL SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS VALVE LINK, both of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to irrigation systems. More specifically,the present invention relates to a wireless irrigation control systemincluding a wireless valve link.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Irrigation systems traditionally are used in many differentapplications, including, for example, commercial applications,residential applications, and on golf courses. Traditionally, when theirrigation system is installed, trenches are dug for the water piping.The same trenches are used for the wiring that connects valves to anirrigation controller. Generally, the wiring is a 24 AC power line thatopens a valve coupled to a water pipe when 24 volts is applied to thepower line. When there is no voltage applied to the power line, thevalve closes, shutting off water flow through the valve. This is aconvenient solution when a water system is first being installed becausethe trenches need to be dug for the water pipes in order to get water tovarious locations. However, if water pipes have already been installed,or a new zone is being added to the watering system there may not be aneed to dig trenches all the way from the controller to the new zonebecause the water pipes are already installed for much of the distancein between the controller and the new zone. The additional water pipesare simply tapped into the existing water pipes. Therefore, connectingthe power line from the valve for the new zone to the controller can bea very burdensome task.

Additionally, a number of other problems are created by installation anduse of wires coupling an irrigation controller to remotely locatedvalves. For example, when using traditional valves that are coupled toan irrigation controller through wires, there is a need to trench andplace conduit or direct burial wire. Additionally, in-ground wiring issubject to induced lightning surges that can damage the irrigationcontroller or the valve solenoid. Induced lightning surges are prevalentin many areas, such as Florida. Further, wires deteriorate over time andcan be exposed to damage during landscaping. Deteriorated or brokenwires will cause the irrigation system to fail to properly control theactuation of valves. Still further, adding valves to a new or existingirrigation system requires trenching, designing around existingconstruction and landscaping or demolishing and replacing existingconstruction and landscaping. All of these can be very costly andundesirable. Finally, irrigation wires, once buried are difficult tolocate. Additions or modifications require the use of special equipmentto locate wires and/or wire breaks.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to have irrigation system that didnot require power lines from the irrigation controller to the valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigationcontroller system and related methods of use, as well as otherimprovements to irrigation control equipment.

In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as an irrigationcontrol system having a transmitter unit comprising: a connector adaptedto be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuationoutput connectors for activating stations; a first controller coupled tothe connector and adapted to receive an indication that the irrigationcontroller has activated an irrigation station; and a signal transmittercoupled to the first controller, wherein responsive to the indication,the first controller is configured to cause a wireless activation signalto be transmitted by the signal transmitter, the wireless activationsignal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit locatedremotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and anactuatable device.

In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as anirrigation control device comprising: a signal receiver adapted toreceive a wireless activation signal from a remotely located wirelesstransmitter unit which is coupled to an irrigation controller havingstation actuation output connectors for activating stations, thewireless transmitter unit adapted to receive an indication that theirrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, andresponsive to the indication, the wireless transmitter unit is adaptedto cause the wireless activation signal to be wirelessly transmitted; acontroller coupled to the signal receiver and adapted to receive amessage contained in the wireless activation signal; and an activationcircuit coupled to the controller, wherein responsive to the message,the controller is configured to cause the activation circuit to outputsignaling to cause an actuator to actuate an actuatable device.

In a further embodiment, the invention can be characterized as anirrigation control system comprising: a transmitter unit including afirst controller, the transmitter unit having a connector adapted to becoupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation outputconnectors for activating stations; the first controller configured toreceive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated anirrigation station, the first controller configured to cause thetransmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive tothe indication. The system further comprising a receiver unit adapted tobe coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, the actuatorconfigured to actuate the actuatable device, the receiver unit adaptedto receive the wireless activation signal and in response, cause theactuator to actuate the irrigation valve.

In an additional embodiment, the invention can be characterized as amethod of wireless irrigation control comprising the steps of:receiving, at a transmitter unit coupled to an irrigation controllerhaving station output actuation connectors for activating stations, anindication that the irrigation controller has activated a station; andwirelessly transmitting, responsive to the receiving the indication, awireless activation signal from the transmitter unit to a receiver unitremotely located from the transmitter unit, the wireless activationsignal adapted to cause the receiver unit to cause an actuator toactuate an actuatable device.

In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a method ofwireless irrigation control comprising the steps of: wirelesslyreceiving, at a receiver unit, a wireless activation signal transmittedfrom a transmitter unit remotely located from the receiver unit andcoupled to an irrigation controller having station output actuationconnectors for activating stations, the transmitter unit havingwirelessly transmitted the wireless activation signal based on areceived indication that the irrigation controller has activated astation, the receiver unit coupled to an actuator which is coupled to anactuatable device; and causing the actuator to actuate the actuatabledevice.

In a further embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a methodof wireless irrigation control comprising the steps of: receiving, at atransmitter unit coupled to an irrigation controller having stationoutput actuation connectors for activating stations, an indication thatthe irrigation controller has activated a station; wirelesslytransmitting, responsive to the receiving the indication, a wirelessactivation signal from the transmitter unit; wirelessly receiving, at areceiver unit remotely located from the transmitter unit, the wirelessactivation signal, the receiver unit coupled to an actuator which iscoupled to an actuatable device; and causing the actuator to actuate theactuatable device.

In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as anirrigation controller comprising: a microcontroller adapted to generatecontrol signals to activate irrigation at one or more irrigationstations in accordance with the one or more watering programs; and awireless transmitter coupled to the microcontroller and adapted totransmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the control signalsto one or more receiver units coupled to the one or more irrigationstations, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to periodicallyre-transmit the wireless activation signal, randomizing a time intervalbetween transmissions.

In an additional embodiment, the invention can be characterized as amolded enclosure with a conduit knockout system comprising: a wall; afirst knockout formed in the wall, which when removed from the wallforms a first opening in the wall; and a second knockout formed in thewall extending from a portion of the first knockout to an edge of thewall, the second knockout forming a second opening in the wall whenremoved, the first opening and the second opening being contiguous.

In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a mountingbracket for irrigation equipment comprising: a first face; a keyingportion coupled to the first face and shaped to engage a mating portionof a wireless receiver unit adapted to cause actuation of an irrigationactuator controlling water flow; and a mounting hole formed in the firstface; and wherein the keying portion is shaped to engage the matingportion at a plurality of orientations.

In a further embodiment, the invention can be characterized as anactuator activation unit for irrigation equipment comprising: a housingcontaining circuitry adapted to output electrical signaling to cause theactuation of a solenoid of a solenoid unit, the solenoid adapted to openand close a valve controlling the flow of water therethrough; and areceptor portion formed in the housing, the receptor portion adapted toreceive and mate to a portion of the solenoid unit, such that thehousing mounts directly to the solenoid unit.

In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a batterypowered receiver unit for controlling irrigation equipment comprising: areceiver adapted to receive irrigation control signals; a controllercoupled to the receiver that is responsive to the irrigation controlsignals having been received; a capacitor adapted to be charged to afirst voltage and adapted to be discharged to provide a pulse sufficientto actuate a latching solenoid controlling an irrigation valve; abattery having a voltage rating at a second voltage, the second voltageless than the first voltage, the battery providing operational power tothe receiver, the controller and for charging the capacitor. Thereceiver unit further comprises a capacitor charging circuit comprising:an inductor coupling the battery to the capacitor; and a switch coupledto the inductor and operated by the controller, the switch controls theflow of current through the inductor.

In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a batterypowered receiver unit for controlling irrigation equipment comprising: areceiver adapted to receive irrigation control signals; a controllercoupled to the receiver that is responsive to the irrigation controlsignals having been received; a capacitor adapted to be charged to avoltage of at least 7 volts and adapted to be discharged to provide apulse sufficient to actuate a latching solenoid controlling anirrigation valve; a battery having a voltage rating of less than 7volts, the battery providing operational power to the receiver, thecontroller and for charging the capacitor; and a capacitor chargingcircuit coupling the battery to the capacitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following more particulardescription thereof, presented in conjunction with the followingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless irrigation controlsystem including a wireless link to valves in accordance with oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless irrigation controlsystem in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless irrigation controlsystem in accordance with yet another embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram illustrating the transmitter shown inFIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram of the transmitter housing with anextended knock-out adapter in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the transmitter box shown in FIG. 5illustrating an extended knockout in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the lid for the transmitter shown inFIG. 4 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIGS. 8-10 are collectively a circuit diagram illustrating thetransmitter of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a state diagram illustrating operation of the transmitter inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective diagram illustrating the receiver shown in FIG.1 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIGS. 13-15 are collectively a circuit diagram illustrating the receivershown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating metal contacts for connecting abattery to a circuit board of the receiver shown in FIG. 12 inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating a top portion of thereceiver shown in FIG. 12 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating a bottom portion ofthe receiver shown in FIG. 12 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating a portion of thecircuitry housing portion of the receiver shown in FIG. 12 in accordancewith one embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a perspective diagram illustrating a receiver and a mountingbracket in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a perspective diagram illustrating multiple differentmounting options for the receiver and the mounting bracket;

FIG. 22 is a perspective diagram of a receiver mounted to a valve boxlid to be fit to a standard valve box in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a perspective diagram of two receivers mounted inside a valvebox in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating signaling from the transmitter to thereceiver in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating receipt of a corrupted message inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a flow diagram illustrating the receiver checking formessages from the transmitter in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the receiverduring the listening period shown in FIG. 26 in accordance with oneembodiment;

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a messaging format in accordance withone embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a data portion of the message formatshown in FIG. 28 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating the receiver with a magnet adjacent tothe receiver;

FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless irrigation controlsystem in accordance with a further embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless irrigation controlsystem in accordance with yet another embodiment;

FIG. 33 is one embodiment of a receiver having a mounting portiondefining a receptor portion adapted to receive and mount to aconventional latching solenoid unit according to one embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a conventional latching solenoid unit;

FIG. 35 is a terminal adapter for guiding electrical wiring through anopening formed by a knockout in a housing wall as described in FIGS. 4-6and including a locking nut in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a top down view of the terminal adapter and locking nut ofFIG. 35 as inserted into the opening formed by the knockouts of FIGS.4-6 in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 37 is a side view of the terminal adapter and locking nut of FIG.36 as inserted into the opening formed by the knockouts of FIGS. 4-6 inaccordance with one embodiment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans willappreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicityand clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions, sizing, and/or relative placement of some of theelements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements tohelp to improve understanding of various embodiments of the presentinvention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful ornecessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depictedin order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these variousembodiments of the present invention. It will also be understood thatthe terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as isusually accorded to such terms and expressions by those skilled in thecorresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where otherspecific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of theinvention. The scope of the invention should be determined withreference to the claims. The present embodiments address the problemsdescribed in the background while also addressing other additionalproblems as will be seen from the following detailed description.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown illustrating an irrigationsystem including a wireless valve link in accordance with oneembodiment. Shown is an irrigation controller 100 having connectors 101,a transmitter 102 (also referred to as a wireless transmitter or atransmitter unit 102) having connectors 103, a power line 104, a groundline 105, a common line 106, a plurality of actuation lines 108 (alsoreferred to as station actuation lines or station activation lines), areceiver 110 (also referred to as a wireless receiver or a receiver unit110), a solenoid 112 (generically referred to as an actuator), a valve114 (generically referred to as an actuatable device) and a wirelesslink 116 (also referred to as a communication link).

The irrigation controller 100 is electrically coupled to the transmitter102 via the connectors 101 and 103 through the power line 104, theground line 105, the common line 106, and the plurality of actuationlines 108. The transmitter 102 sends messages to the receiver 110through the wireless link 116. The receiver 110 is electrically coupledto the solenoid 112. The solenoid 112 is connected to the valve 114. Thetransmitter 102 is a wireless transmitter which includes radio frequency(RF) transmitter circuitry (not shown) and an antenna 118. The receiver110 includes corresponding radio frequency receiver circuitry (notshown) and an antenna 119. It is understand that other types of wirelesstransmitters and receivers may be implemented within the transmitter 102and the receiver 110, such as other electromagnetic or opticalcommunication devices. It is noted that generically, the radio frequency(RF) transmitter circuitry and the antenna 118 can be referred to as awireless signal transmitter. Similarly, the radio frequency receivercircuitry and the antenna 119 can be generically be referred to as awireless signal receiver. It is understood that in other embodiments,wireless signal transmitters and wireless signal receivers other thanthose specifically designed for radio frequency signals may be used inother embodiments.

The irrigation controller 100 is powered from, for example, a standard60 Hz power outlet. In the embodiment shown, the irrigation controller100 provides power to the transmitter 102 through the power line 104 andthe receiver 110 is battery powered, for example, by a D-Cell battery.In an alternative embodiment, the receiver 110 is, for example, solarpowered. In this embodiment, the receiver includes or is coupled to, forexample, photovoltaic (PV) cells that covert sunlight directly intoelectricity. These cells may be used to charge one or more capacitors.The electricity is used to power the receiver.

In one embodiment, the irrigation controller 100 (generically referredto as an electronic control device) is for example, a programmableirrigation controller that stores and executes one or more wateringprograms or schedules. The irrigation controller 100 includes amicrocontroller with a processor and memory. The irrigation controller100 includes a user interface 120 to allow the user to program thecontroller 100 and for information to be displayed to the user. Theirrigation controller 100 controls the operation of one or more wateringstation or zones. For example, the irrigation controller 100 has stationoutput connectors at connector 101 for controlling eight differentstations or zones in one embodiment. In accordance with the oneembodiment, each controllable station zone includes an actuator, such asa solenoid 112 (for example, a latching solenoid) and an actuatabledevice, such as an irrigation valve 114. It should be understood thatonly one station is shown in the present embodiment for clarificationpurposes, however, one or more stations or zones can be operated in themanner described herein. The solenoid 112 is electrically coupled to thereceiver 110. The receiver 110 activates and deactivates the actuator,which actuates the actuatable device. For example, in severalembodiments, the receiver 110 activates and deactivates the solenoid 112which in turn mechanically opens and closes the valve 114. In apreferred embodiment, the receiver 110 operates one or more latchingsolenoids. In one embodiment, the receiver 110 is coupled to andcontrols the activation of four latching solenoids corresponding to fourdifferent watering stations or zones. Latching solenoids are preferablyused to conserve battery power of the receiver 110.

It is noted that in other embodiments, the irrigation controller 100 isnot necessarily a programmable irrigation controller. For example, theirrigation controller 100 has a set program functionality notprogrammable by a user, or the irrigation controller is under thecontrol of another programmable irrigation controller (such as a centralcontroller or a handheld controller), such that the other irrigationcontroller is programmable or otherwise executes one or more wateringprograms and sends instructions to the irrigation controller 100, whichacts as a slave to the other controller and simply takes the instructedaction. (e.g., turn on or turn off a station). Additionally, it isunderstood that the irrigation controller 100 may be programmable onmany different levels. For example, in some embodiments, the irrigationcontroller 100 includes a microprocessor, memory and an electronic userinterface as described above, and has many programmable features knownin today's irrigation controllers. However, in some embodiments, theirrigation controller 100 is mechanically programmable by pushingswitches and levers that result in a timer-based schedule of stationactivation. Regardless of the specific type of irrigation controller,whether it is programmable or not, or the level or complexity ofprogrammability, and in accordance with several embodiments, theirrigation controller 100 should have a plurality of station outputconnectors (or station output actuation connectors) that allow thecoupling of a plurality of actuation lines 108 (station actuationlines). These actuation lines carry station activation signals from theirrigation controller 100 to actuate actuatable devices, which inpreferred form, are irrigation valves, but in other forms, may beindoor/outdoor light devices, pumps, gas flow control devices, etc. Inpreferred form, these activation signals take the form of an AC voltagewave that actuates a non-latching solenoid so long as the AC voltagewaveform is applied to the station actuation line by the station outputconnector. In other embodiments, the station activation signal may be ashort pulse signal suitable to actuate a latching solenoid or anotherelectrical signal suitable to actuate an electrical relay or switchingdevice.

As described above in the background, traditionally, the irrigationcontroller 100 is coupled directly to a solenoid (e.g., a non-latchingsolenoid) through an actuation line. When it is time to activate astation for a zone to receive water, the irrigation controller providesthe solenoid 112 corresponding to the station with a 24 volt AC powersignal over the actuation line. The solenoid 112 opens the valve and thesprinkler devices corresponding to the station or zone receive water.When the irrigation controller determines it is time to stop watering inthe zone, the irrigation controller stops providing the 24 AC volt powersignal to the solenoid which then turns off the valve.

Several embodiments allow for the same irrigation controller 100 to beutilized in an irrigation system that includes the wireless link 116 asa replacement for or in addition to the wireline connections to thesolenoid activated valves. That is, traditionally, the actuation line isa wire that is installed underground and runs from the irrigationcontroller 100 all the way to the solenoid. This can be a fairly longdistance which has a number of disadvantages that are described above inthe background. In contrast, several embodiments include the transmitter102 and the receiver 110 that are used to form the wireless link 116between the irrigation controller 100 and the solenoid 112. The wirelesslink 116 is, for example, a one way (i.e., from the transmitter 102 tothe receiver 110) communication link between the transmitter and thereceiver. For example, the wireless link utilizes a 27 MHz frequencyband to send signals from the transmitter to the receiver. Otherfrequency bands are used in alternative embodiments. Alternatively, thewireless link is a two-way communication link between the transmitterand the receiver. In this alternative embodiment, the receiver cantransmit data back to the transmitter, for example, to confirm receiptof a command or to send information about the operation of the receiverback to the transmitter.

In accordance with several embodiments, the irrigation controller 100operates in the same manner as if it were not connected to thetransmitter 102. In other words, the operation of the irrigationcontroller 100 is independent of the operation of the transmitter 102.From the viewpoint of the irrigation controller 100, the actuation lines108 at its connectors 101 are wireline connections to the solenoids inthe field. The irrigation controller 100 is unaware that the wirelesslink 116 exists. Likewise, the operation of the transmitter 102 isindependent of the operation of the irrigation controller 100, otherthan the fact that the transmitter 102 uses the station outputs of thecontroller 100 as its inputs. This provides the ability to add awireless extension or wireless capability to any existing irrigationsystem designed with station output connectors that operate withwireline actuation lines 108 without any modification to the irrigationcontroller 100. Advantageously, one would not need to replace thetraditional controller 100 with a wireless capable controller. Instead,the wireless transmitter 102 would be coupled to the irrigationcontroller 100 and the controller 100 does not know the difference. Inoperation, in one embodiment, the irrigation controller 100 provides a24 volt activation signal at its connectors 101 which normally go todirectly to a solenoid via a wireline connection, but instead go to thetransmitter 102 over one of the plurality of actuation lines 108. Thetransmitter detects or senses that the activation signal has beenreceived at its connectors 103 (i.e., the transmitter receives anindication that the irrigation controller 100 intends to activate thestation or zone). It is noted that when the controller 100 activates astation, this may reflect a decision made by the irrigation controller100 when executing a watering program, or may reflect an action taken bythe controller 100 (for example, in embodiments where the controllerdoes not make a decision to activate a station, but simply follows aninstruction to activate a station issued by another controllercontrolling the controller 100, such as a central controller or handheldcontroller). Thus, generically, the controller 804 receives anindication that the irrigation controller 100 has activated a particularstation. Once the transmitter receives this indication, e.g., thetransmitter receives the activation signal, then the transmitter 102sends a wireless activation signal to the receiver 110 over the wirelesslink 116.

Upon receipt of the wireless activation signal from the transmitter 102,the receiver 110 outputs signaling to an actuator that actuates anactuatable device, e.g., the receiver 110 sends a pulse to the latchingsolenoid 112 in order to activate the latching solenoid 112. In turn,the latching solenoid 112 opens the valve 114 which allows water to flowtherethrough to one or more sprinkler devices downstream. Generally, thesolenoid 112, the valve 114 and the sprinkler devices are collectivelyreferred to as a station or zone. In one embodiment, the transmitter 102repetitively transmits the same wireless activation signal to thereceiver 110 in intervals of, for example, three or four seconds, solong as the irrigation controller 100 is still providing the 24 voltpower signal over the actuation line. The receiver 112 keeps the valve114 open so long as it keeps receiving the wireless activation signalfrom the transmitter 102.

When the irrigation controller 100 intends that the valve 114 should beshut off, the controller 100 stops outputting the 24 volt power signalto the transmitter 102 just as it would normally stop outputting the 24volt power signal to a solenoid in prior systems. The transmitter 102senses the termination of the activation signal on the given actuationline 108 and stops transmitting the wireless activation signal.Optionally, the transmitter 104 transmits a stop signal to the receiver110. After the receiver 110 stops receiving the wireless activationsignal for a predetermined period of time (for example, one minute), thereceiver 110 signals an actuator to actuate the actuatable device todeactivate the device, e.g., the receiver 110 outputs a second pulse tothe latching solenoid 112. Upon receipt of the second pulse, thelatching solenoid 112 closes the valve 114. By having the receiver 110send a pulse to the latching solenoid 112 after a time period of notreceiving the wireless activation signal, this prevents a zone from notturning off because the receiver 110 missed, for example, the stopsignal from the transmitter 102. This feature provides protection fromthe latching solenoid keeping the valve open for longer than desired andpossibly causing flooding in a watering zone. Details about thetransmitter 104, the receiver 110, and the signaling from thetransmitter 104 to the receiver 110 are discussed further herein below.

While the receiver 110 is shown functionally separate from the solenoid112, in one embodiment, the receiver 110 and solenoid 112 are builttogether as a single combined unit, i.e., contained in a single housing.In this manner, the functionality of the receiver 110 and the solenoid112 are combined into a single housing. In other embodiments, thereceiver 110 and the solenoid 112 are each contained in separatehousings. In one form, the receiver 110 and the solenoid 112 areseparate housings that are designed such that the receiver housing iseasily mounted directly onto the solenoid housing (see FIGS. 33 and 34).

Generally, each station output connector 101 of the irrigationcontroller provides an activation signal on an actuation line 108 via astation output connector to controls an irrigation station or zone.According to several embodiments, the transmitter 102 provides awireless connection for the sprinkler devices of the zone. In preferredform, the receiver 110 is battery powered and thus, may be easilylocated without digging trenches or requiring a nearby power source.Alternatively, the receiver may be solar powered.

Although only a single receiver is illustrated in FIG. 1, multiplereceivers 110 can be variously located to receive the wirelessactivation signal from the transmitter 102. FIG. 31 illustrates oneembodiment in which four receivers 110A-110D are configured to receivecommunications from the transmitter 102, e.g., four receivers are pairedor matched to the transmitter 102. The receivers 110A-D are paired ormatched to the transmitter 102 so that they look for communications onlyfrom the transmitter 102. Several pairing techniques are describedherein.

In this embodiment, for simplicity, the irrigation controller 100 ofFIG. 31 is illustrated as only having four output station connectors atits connector 101, and thus, the transmitter 102 has four station inputconnectors at its connector 103. It is understood that the number ofstation outputs or station output connectors of a given irrigationcontroller can vary, as well as the number of station inputs or stationinput connectors of the transmitter unit 102. Furthermore, the number ofstation inputs at the connector 103 does not need to match the number ofstation outputs of the connector 101.

It is noted that FIG. 31 illustrates that the wireless extension of theirrigation controller 102 operates in addition to the regular wirelinecontrol of the irrigation controller 100, as opposed to the embodimentof FIG. 1, which illustrates the replacement of the traditional wirelineconnections to the irrigation stations. That is, in FIG. 31, actuationlines 108 extend from the station output connectors of the connector 101a distance to respective solenoid controlled irrigation valves 130(generically referred to as actuator controlled devices), such as,non-latching solenoids and irrigation valves). They are not illustratedas doing so in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The controller 100 applies a 24volt signal (i.e., one form of an activation signal) to a givenactuation line 108, which causes a given solenoid controlled irrigationvalve 130 to open until the 24 volt signal is removed. On top of thislevel of control of the traditional irrigation controller, anotheractuation line 108 is coupled from each station output connector of theconnector 101 of the controller 100 to the station input connectors ofthe connector 103 of the transmitter 102. Although FIG. 31 appears toillustrate that a given actuation line 108 splits, in preferred form,the actuation line coupling the station output connectors of theirrigation controller 100 to the station input connectors of thetransmitter 102 is directly coupled between the connectors 101 and 103.The controller applies an activation signal to an appropriate actuationline 108 at the appropriate station output connector. Then, thetransmitter senses or detects this activation signal, which provides anindication to the microcontroller of the transmitter 102 that thestation is to be activated by the irrigation controller 100, e.g., tobegin watering. In response, the transmitter 102 transmits a wirelessactivation signal to the respective receiver 110 or receivers 110 thatcorrespond to that activated station.

In one embodiment, each of the four illustrated receivers 110A-D isconfigured or programmed to correspond to one of the irrigation stationsof the controller. For example, receiver 110A corresponds to station 1,receiver 110B corresponds to station 2, receiver 110C corresponds tostation 3 and receiver 110D corresponds to station 4. Accordingly, whenthe irrigation controller 100 activates station 1 (e.g., it applies a 24volt signal to the actuation line 108 coupled to the output stationconnector corresponding to station 1), the solenoid actuated irrigationvalve 130 for station 1 opens and allows watering at any downstreamsprinkler devices. In addition, the same activation signal is applied tothe actuation line 108 coupled from the station output connector forstation 1 of connectors 101 to the station input connector for station 1of the connectors 103. The transmitter 102 senses the presence of thisactivation signal, which provides an indication to the microcontrollerof the transmitter 102 that station 1 is to be activated by theirrigation controller 100. At this point, the transmitter formats amessage and modulates it on a wireless activation signal that istransmitted via the wireless link 116 to any receivers paired to thetransmitter 102. All matched receivers 110A-110D listen forcommunications from the transmitter; however, only those receivers thatcorrespond to station 1 will act on the wireless activation signal. Forexample, in this embodiment, only receiver 110A extracts the messagefrom the received wireless activation signal. The receiver 110A thenoutputs the appropriate signaling to cause an actuator (e.g., a latchingsolenoid 112A) to actuate an actuatable device (e.g., the irrigationvalve 114A). This allows pressurized water to flow through valve 114A toany downstream sprinkler devices. This allows for more sprinkler devicesto be effectively controlled by the controller 100, i.e., more sprinklerdevices are included within station or zone 1. This could expand orextend the geographic reach of the station or be used to fill in spotsthat are not adequately irrigated by the existing sprinklers of thestation.

Alternatively, more than one of the receivers corresponds to eachstation. For example, receivers 110A and 11C are both configured tocorrespond to station 1. Thus, both of receivers 110A and 110C respondto the wireless activation signal broadcast via the wireless link 116.Thus, as described above, both receivers 110A and 110C output signalingto cause the respective actuators (e.g., latching solenoids 112A and112C) to actuate irrigation valves 114A and 114C. This allowspressurized water to flow through valves 114A and 114C to any downstreamsprinkler devices. By allowing multiple receivers 110 to receivecommunications from the transmitter 102, additional sprinkler devicescan be added to the zone or station controlled by the irrigationcontroller 100, all controlled by the single activation signal at asingle station output connector placed on the single actuation line 108.Not withstanding water pressure restrictions, the number of receivers110 that can be added to the station is unlimited. For example, with theaddition of several receivers 110 within range of the transmitter 102,tens or hundreds of additional sprinkler devices may be controlled bythe one station/zone of the irrigation controller 100. These receivers110A-110D are remotely located from one another and do not need to bepositioned near a constant power source or have wiring trenched to them.

It is further noted that receivers 110A, 110C and 110D have a singlevalve output, whereas receiver 110B has multiple (e.g., four) valveoutputs. Thus, receiver 110B may be referred to as a four zone receiveror as four station receiver. The four valve outputs of the receiver 110Beach couple to a respective actuator (e.g., a latching solenoid 112B)that actuates its irrigation valve 114B. Each valve output of thereceiver 110B can be assigned to a different station of the controller100. In this case, the receiver 110B is paired to the transmitter 102and listens for communications from the transmitter 102. The receiver110B processes any received message that corresponds to one of thestations it is configured to activate. In one embodiment, the four valvereceiver 110B corresponds to four actuation lines 108 coupled to thetransmitter, and each of the four solenoids 112B corresponds to one ofthe four stations.

Referring next to FIG. 32, it is seen that multiple transmitters 102Aand 102B may be coupled to the same irrigation controller 100 inaccordance with several embodiments. Advantageously, additional wirelesstransmitters 102 provide additional actuatable devices (such as valves)for each station controlled by the controller 100. In one embodiment,the transmitters 102A and 102B each transmit to different receivers 110(not shown) that correspond to one or more stations. In anotherembodiment, the transmitters 102A and 102B communicate to the samereceivers for redundancy. In a further embodiment, each transmitter isconnected to and corresponds to a different set of the station outputconnectors of the connector 1010. For example, in one embodiment, thecontroller 100 is an eight station controller (even though only fourstations are illustrated). Transmitter 102A is coupled to andcorresponds to stations 1-4 of the controller 100 whereas transmitter102B is coupled to and corresponds to stations 5-8 of the controller100. For example, in one embodiment having an irrigation controllerhaving at least eight station outputs, four actuation lines 108 arecoupled to transmitter 102A and four separate actuation lines 108 arecoupled to transmitter 102B. With multiple transmitters, the use ofdirectional antennas can help extend communication range and minimizeinterference. For example, antennas 118A and 118B may be directionalantennas directionally transmitting in different directions and allowsspatial diversity transmission to be used. The operation of eachtransmitter 102 is similar to that described above.

It is noted that in many of the embodiments, the reach of the irrigationcontroller 100 is expanded or extended with the use of one or moretransmitters 102 and one or more receivers 110, without modification tothe irrigation controller 100 or the watering programs stored andexecuted by the controller 100 or by another controller (such as acentral controller or a handheld controller) controlling the controller100. In several embodiments, the controller 100 is not aware thatadditional valves are being operated when it applies an activationsignal to a given actuation line. Thus, the operation of the controller100 is independent of the operation of the transmitters and receivers.In preferred form, the transmitters 102 and receivers 110 describedherein are accessory add-on devices that enhance the operation of thecontroller without modifying the controller 100 in any way. For example,the controller 100 is provided with a wireless link to control valves orother actuatable devices that are part of a given station. Additionally,in some embodiments, the number of valves controllable by each stationof the controller 100 may be dramatically increased, only limited bywater pressure concerns. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the range ofvalves controlled by the controller 100 is extended depending on thefrequency and transmission scheme used by the transmitters 102.

Additionally, while in preferred form, the wireless link 116 is aone-way link from the transmitter 102 to the receivers 110, in otherembodiments, the wireless link is a two-way communication link. Forexample, transmitting and receiving elements are present at both thetransmitters and receivers (i.e., they each become transceivers ortwo-way communication devices).

It is noted that in the embodiments described herein, the latchingsolenoids coupled to each of the receivers 110 are generally mechanicalactuators, and that in other embodiments, other types of actuators, suchas other mechanical actuators or electrical actuators, such aselectrical relays or switches may be used. Accordingly, the solenoidsare generically referred to as actuators. Additionally, the describedirrigation stations are generically for the purpose of actuating anirrigation valve, however, in some embodiments, one or more of thestations controlled by the controller 100 (and the transmitter102/receiver 110) may control any actuatable device. For example, anactuatable device may be any triggerable or switchable device, such as alight switch (e.g., for timer controlled outdoor or indoor lighting), apump (e.g., a timer controlled master water pump or a pool pump), etc.Additionally, in preferred form, the activation signals take the form ofan AC voltage wave that actuates a non-latching solenoid so long as theAC voltage waveform is applied to the station actuation line by thestation output connector. In other embodiments, the station activationsignal may be a short pulse signal suitable to actuate a latchingsolenoid or another electrical signal suitable to actuate an electricalrelay or switching device.

Furthermore, as described above, the irrigation controller may be aprogrammable irrigation or a non-programmable irrigation controller. Thelevel and type or complexity of programmability (e.g., electrical and/ormechanical programmability) may vary in different embodiments.Regardless of the specific type of irrigation controller, whether it isprogrammable or not, or the level or complexity of programmability, andin accordance with several embodiments, the irrigation controller 100has a plurality of station output connectors (or station actuationoutput connectors) that allow the coupling of a plurality of actuationlines 108 (station actuation lines). The operation of the controller 100is such that the station output connectors of the controller provideactivation signals to actuation lines coupled to actuatable devices,such that the activation signal actuates the actuatable device.According to several embodiments, the transmitter/s 102 and thereceiver/s 110 add a wireless extension or wireless capability to anyexisting irrigation controller designed with such station outputconnectors without any modification to the irrigation controller 100. Inseveral embodiments, the transmitter receives an indication that theirrigation controller has activated a station and acts accordingly. Forexample, in preferred form, the transmitter 102 receives the activationsignal placed at the station actuation output connector of thecontroller 100, and in response, causes a wireless activation signal tobe transmitted to one or more receivers 110. In response, each receiveroutputs signaling to actuate an actuatable device (e.g., an irrigationvalve) corresponding to the station. Advantageously, one would not needto replace the traditional controller 100 with a wireless capablecontroller. In accordance with several embodiments, the irrigationcontroller 100 operates in the same manner as if it were not connectedto the transmitter 102. In other words, the operation of the irrigationcontroller 100 is independent of the operation of the transmitter 102.From the viewpoint of the irrigation controller 100, the actuation lines108 at its connectors 101 are wireline connections to the solenoids inthe field. The irrigation controller 100 is unaware that the wirelesslink 116 exists. Likewise, the operation of the transmitter 102 isindependent of the operation of the irrigation controller 100, otherthan the fact that the transmitter 102 uses the station outputs of thecontroller 100 as its inputs.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram is shown illustrating an irrigationsystem in accordance with another embodiment. Shown is an irrigationcontroller 200, an antenna 202, a receiver 204 (also referred to as awireless receiver or a receiver unit 110), a latching solenoid 206(generically referred to as an actuator), a valve 208, and a wirelesslink 210 (also referred to as a communication link).

In this embodiment, the irrigation controller 200 includes the antenna202 and appropriate transmitter circuitry (e.g., signal transmitter) inorder to transmit signals to the receiver 204. The receiver 204 iselectrically coupled to the latching solenoid 206. The latching solenoid206 is coupled to the valve 208.

In operation, the irrigation controller 200 sends a wireless activationsignal to the receiver 204, received at the antenna 205. Upon receipt ofthe wireless activation signal, the receiver 204 sends a pulse to thelatching solenoid 206 which in turn opens the valve 208. In a preferredembodiment, the irrigation controller 200 repetitively sends thewireless activation signal to the receiver 204, for example,approximately every three or four seconds to avoid interference andaccount for any sleep/awake periods of the receiver 204. The receiver204 and latching solenoid 206 will keep the valve open so long as thereceiver 204 keeps receiving the wireless activation signal. If thereceiver 204 does not receive the wireless activation signal after apredetermined period of time, the receiver 204 sends a pulse to thelatching solenoid 206 which causes the valve 208 to close. As describedabove, this can prevent the valve 208 from remaining openunintentionally for a long period of time due to the receiver missing astop signal.

In one embodiment, the irrigation controller 200 also sends a wirelessdeactivation signal to the receiver 204. Upon receipt of the wirelessdeactivation signal the receiver 204 sends a pulse to the latchingsolenoid 206 which in turn causes the valve 208 to close. The operationof the receiver 204 is similar to the operation of the receiversdescribed above.

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram is shown illustrating an irrigationsystem in accordance with another embodiment. Shown is a modularirrigation controller 300, a transmitter module 302 having an antenna304, a receiver 306 having an antenna 305, a latching solenoid 308(generically referred to as an actuator), a valve 310, and a wirelesslink 312 (also referred to as a communication link).

The modular irrigation controller 300 is detachably coupled to thetransmitter module 302. The transmitter module 302 includes the antenna304 and transmitter circuitry. The receiver 306 is electrically coupledto the latching solenoid 308 which is attached to the valve 310.

The modular irrigation controller 300 is, for example, an irrigationcontroller such as is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/687,352, entitled OPEN ARCHITECTURE MODULARITY FOR IRRIGATIONCONTROLLERS, filed Oct. 15, 2003 and U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/022,329, entitled MODULAR AND EXPANDABLE IRRIGATION CONTROLLER, filedDec. 23, 2004 both of which applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. The modular irrigation controller 300includes one or more wireless transmitter modules 302 in addition to orin replacement of one or more expansion station modules. Similarly tothe irrigation systems described above with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 31and 32, the modular irrigation controller 300 and the transmitter module302 send wireless activation signals to the receiver 306. The receiverin turn activates the latching solenoid 306 which opens the valve 310.

The embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3 and 31-32replace the need for wiring connections between the irrigationcontroller and valves. The trenching costs to run control lines from theirrigation controller to each watering zone is eliminated and inaddition potential landscape areas (with access to water) that are nottrench accessible can be made viable landscape areas by utilizing thewireless transmitters and the wireless receivers to form the wirelesslinks described herein. The wireless link, in one embodiment, utilizesthe unlicensed 27 MHz frequency spectrum to create the wireless linkbetween any irrigation controller and the valves. In one embodiment, thewireless link has an operating range of up to 1000 feet line of sight,thus making it able to satisfy most residential and commercialapplication needs.

Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective diagram is shown illustrating thetransmitter shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment. Shown isa main housing 400 or enclosure, a transmitter housing 402, theconnectors 103 including a power line connector 404, a ground connector405, a common line connector 406, and a plurality of actuation lineconnectors 408 (also referred to as actuation input connectors orstation input connectors). Also shown is a scroll button 410, an enterbutton 412, a display screen 414, a terminal adapter 416 having a flange417, a locking nut 419, an antenna 418, and hinges 420.

The main housing 400 (shown without a front cover) encloses thetransmitter housing 402. The transmitter housing 402 encloses theelectronics of the transmitter, such as the microcontroller, displaydrivers, radio frequency circuitry, etc. The scroll button 410, theenter button 412 and the display screen 414 are visible on a frontsurface of the transmitter housing 402 and provide a user interface forthe transmitter. The power line connector 404, the ground connector 405,the common line connector 406, and the plurality of actuation lineconnectors 408 provide electrical contact points for coupling theirrigation controller 100 (shown in FIG. 1) to the electronics of thetransmitter. These electrical contact points are also referred to as theinput connector of the transmitter (e.g., see connector 103 andconnector 810 of FIG. 8).

The display screen 414, the scroll button 410 and the enter button 412provide a user interface for a user in order to configure the wirelesslink between the transmitter and the receiver and also to providinginformation to a user. The information available and the configurationprocedure will be described below in detail with reference to FIG. 11.

While not shown, the main housing 400 is adapted to receive a lid thatopens and closes and is attached to the housing 400 through the hinges420. The lid includes a lock in one embodiment in order to preventunauthorized access to the transmitter. The lid is shown below withreference to FIG. 7. Additionally, a terminal cover (not shown) isprovided that either snaps or screws over the connectors 103 to protectthe electrical connectors from tampering. An extended knockout featureis illustrated in FIG. 4 and is described further below.

Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective diagram of the main housing 400 withthe extended knock-out adapter is shown in accordance with oneembodiment. Shown is the transmitter box or housing 400 having a wall501, a circular knock-out 502, an additional knock-out portion 504, andthe terminal adaptor 416 with the flange 417 and a threaded portion 421.

The circular knock-out 502 is standard for many different devices in theirrigation controller industry. That is, the knockout 502 is formed in aside wall 501 of the housing 400 adjacent the electrical connectors. Aknockout is formed by forming a groove or other area of decreased wallthickness about a portion of the wall. The portion of the wall withinthe boundary of the groove is referred to the knockout. The knockout 502is removed through the application of a transverse force to theknockout, leaving an opening defined by the groove.

In accordance with one embodiment, the additional knock-out portion 504is provided in combination with the circular knockout 502 in order toprovide easy installation of wires from the irrigation controller,particularly when used with the terminal adapter 416. The additionalknock out portion 504 extends from a portion of the knockout 502 to anedge of the side wall 501 of the housing 400. The additional knockoutportion 504 is formed by grooves formed in the side wall (or other wayto decrease the wall thickness) extending from the groove defining thecircular knockout 502 to the edge of the wall. When the knockout 504 isremoved, it leaves an opening extending from the edge of the wall to theopening formed by the removal of the circular knockout 502, such thatthe two openings are contiguous. This contiguous opening is shown asopening 506, whereas the left side of FIG. 5 illustrates the knockouts502 and 504 not having been removed. In one embodiment, the user firstremoves the circular knockout 502, then removes the additional knockoutportion 504. The resulting opening 506 allows the terminal adapter 416with a locking nut 419 (not shown in FIG. 5, but visible in FIGS. 4, 35,36 and 37) to easily move into or out of the opening where the circularknock out 502, and the extended knock-out portion 504 were removed from.Due to the limited amount of space in the main housing 400 forelectrical connections, the installation of wires can be difficult. Thisembodiment allows a user to remove both the circular knock-out 502 andthe additional knock-out portion 504. During installation, wires 510(see FIGS. 35-37) from the irrigation controller 100 are connected tothe power line connector 404, the ground line 405, the common lineconnector 406, and the plurality of actuation line connectors 408 (shownin FIG. 4). Either before or after they are connected, the wires are runthrough the terminal adaptor 416 with the locking nut 419 attached, theterminal adapter 416 being positioned above or adjacent to the housing,i.e., not in the openings formed by the knockouts 502 and 504. A sideview of the terminal adapter 416 is illustrated in FIG. 35 with thewires 510 extending therethrough and the locking nut 419 on the threadedportion 421 of the adapter. The terminal adaptor 416 and locking nut 419are then placed into the space or opening 506 where the circularknock-out 502 and the additional knock-out portion 504 were removed fromsuch that the flange 417 is outside of the housing wall 501 and thelocking nut 419 is inside the housing wall 501. In other words, theadapter 416 with the locking nut 419 and the wires 510 are set down intothe opening 506 from the edge of the opening. The locking nut 419 isthen tightened on the threaded portion 421 of the terminal adaptor 416that is inside of the irrigation box to ensure that the terminal adaptor416 remains securely in place. A top down view of the terminal adapter416 and locking nut 419 as inserted into the opening 501 in relationshipto the wall 501 is illustrated in FIG. 36. For clarity, the wall 501 isillustrated with cross hatching. A side view (partial cut away view at apoint in the wall 501 adjacent the knockouts) is illustrated in FIG. 37.

As seen in FIG. 4, the additional knockout portion 504 has been removedand the terminal adapter 416 is inserted into position with the flange417 on the outside of the housing wall and the locking nut 419 on theinside of the housing wall and tightened. The opening from theadditional knockout portion 504 remains (as also seen in the top view ofFIG. 36 and the side view of FIG. 37). The terminal adapter 416 is astandard adapter to a PVC tube through which the electrical wiring canrun and includes a hexagonal flange. In this embodiment, the locking nut419 is a hexagonal nut. It is understood that the geometry of thesecomponents may vary in different implementations. Advantageously, thissystem allows for easier installation of the transmitter into anirrigation system. It is noted that a portion of the opening formed byremoving the additional knockout portion 504 remains open (see FIGS. 4,36 and 37), but is covered and resists water entry when the lid (seeFIG. 7) is closed over the main housing 400.

Referring to FIG. 6, a side view is shown illustrating one variation ofthe bottom of the transmitter main housing shown in FIG. 5 in accordancewith one embodiment. Shown is the main housing 600, the circularknock-out 502 and the additional knock-out portion 504. Additionallyshown is a second circular knock-out 508 without an additional knockoutportion 504. Grooves 602 and 604 define knockouts 205 and 508,respectively. Grooves 606 and 608 extend from a portion of the groove602 to the edge of the wall of housing 400 to form the additionalknockout portion 504. This housing 600 is different than the housing ofFIGS. 4 and 5 in that there is only one additional knockout portion 504with the circular knockout 502 on the right side, whereas there are twoadditional knockout portions 504 (one on the left and one on the right)in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In prior systems, generally only one or more circular knock-outs areincluded. In accordance with several embodiments, the additionalknock-out portion 504 is also included in order to make installation ofthe wires from the irrigation controller easier. As described above withreference to FIG. 5 and illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, when theadditional knock-out portion 504 and the circular knock-out portion 502are removed, the terminal adaptor 416 is placed in the vacant space andan adapter nut 419 is used to hold the terminal adapter 416 in place. Itis understood that the second knockout portion 508 could also include anadditional knockout portion 504 (like illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring to FIG. 7, a diagram is shown illustrating the lid for thetransmitter main housing 400 shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with oneembodiment. Shown is a hole 702 in the front of the lid 700. A lock thatcan be opened, for example by a key, is placed through the hole in thefront of the lid and is used to close and prevent unauthorized access tothe transmitter box.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, a circuit diagram is collectively shownillustrating the wireless transmitter (e.g., the transmitters 102 ofFIGS. 1, 31 and 32) in accordance with one embodiment. Shown in FIG. 8is a liquid crystal display (LCD) 800 (generically referred to as adisplay screen), a liquid crystal display driver 802 (genericallyreferred to as a display driver), a controller 804 (e.g., amicrocontroller including a processor and firmware), a scroll button806, an enter button 808, a connector 810 (e.g., one embodiment of theconnector 103), surge protection circuitry 811, activation sensorcircuitry 813, and a test interface 815. Shown in FIG. 9 is an amplifiercircuit 814, an oscillator circuit 816, an antenna terminal 820, and anRF shield 817. Shown in FIG. 10 is a logic power supply 822, a mainanalog power supply 823, an analog RF power supply 824, a digital RFpower supply 826, an LCD temperature compensation circuit 828 and aninput power analysis circuit 830.

The connector 810 provides electrical contact points for the transmitter102, for example, including the power line connector 404, the groundconnector 405, the common line connector 406 and the plurality ofactuation line connectors 408 (station input connectors) describedabove. For example, the power line 104, the ground line 105, the commonline 106 and the actuation lines 108 that couple to the correspondingconnection points of the connector 810. The actuation line connectors408 (e.g., VALVE AC1-VALVE AC8) are electrically coupled to theactivation sensor circuitry 813 via the surge protection circuitry 811.The surge protection circuitry 811 can be any known circuitry however,this embodiment incorporates inductors and metal oxide varistors (MOVs).The activation sensor circuitry 813 detects or senses the activation ofa station over each of the plurality of actuation lines 108 from theprogrammable irrigation controller 100. In many embodiments, thecontroller 100 activates a station (e.g., an irrigation station) byapplying a voltage (e.g., an activation signal) to one or more of theactuation lines 108. Since these actuation lines 108 are coupled to thetransmitter (e.g., transmitter 102) instead of or in addition to theconnection to a given irrigation valve (see FIG. 31), the activationsensor circuitry 813 senses or determines when the controller 100 hasactivated a station. In one embodiment, the activation sensor circuitry813 senses when current has been applied to a respective actuation line108. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the activation signalapplied to a given actuation line 108 by the controller 100 passesthrough the connector 810 and the surge protection circuitry 811 to arespective opto-isolator 825. The opto-isolator 825 includes a diodethat emits light when current passes therethrough. The base of atransistor not physically contacting the diode reacts to the emittedlight and turns on the transistor, which sends a signal to thecontroller 804 at a respective one or more of the input pins 807 of thecontroller 804. This signal is high or low and indicates to thecontroller 804 that the irrigation controller 100 has activated astation, e.g., that the controller 100 intends to activate irrigation atthe irrigation station corresponding to the particular actuation line108 in accordance with a stored irrigation schedule. It is noted thatwhen the controller 100 activates a station, this may reflect a decisionmade by the irrigation controller 100 when executing a watering program,or may reflect an action taken by the controller 100 (for example, inembodiments where the controller does not make a decision to activate astation, but the controller nonetheless activates the station byfollowing an instruction to activate a station issued by anothercontroller controlling the controller 100). Thus, generically, thecontroller 804 receives an indication that the irrigation controller 100has activated a particular station. The transmitter 102, thus, senseswhen the irrigation controller 100 has applied an activation signal(e.g., a 24 volt signal) to a given station output connector 408 overone of the actuation lines 108. Alternatively, the activation sensorcircuitry 813 could be configured to sense a voltage change on theactuation lines 108 rather than sense current.

The controller 804 also has inputs from the scroll button 806 and theenter button 808. Additionally, the controller 804 is connected to theLCD driver 802 which controls the LCD display 800. Output from thecontroller 804 is a data line 832 and a transmit enable line 834. Thedata line 832 is input into the oscillator circuit 816 (shown in FIG.9). Additionally, the output from the oscillator circuit 816 is inputinto the amplifier circuit. The output of the amplifier circuit isoutput from an antenna coupled to the antenna terminal 820. The RFshield 817 of FIG. 9 encloses the components of the amplifier circuit814. Test interface 815 is provided to allow an operator to test orconfigure the controller 804.

In FIG. 10, the main analog power supply 823 is coupled to an input 24volt AC power from the irrigation controller or an alternate 24 volt ACpower source, and provides power to the transmitter 102. For example,the main analog power supply is coupled to the power connectors of theconnector 810. Other power supplies for the transmitter derives from themain analog power supply 823 include the analog RF power supply 824, thelogic power supply 822 and the digital RF power supply 826.

In operation, when a 24 volt signal is received from an actuation line108 at the connector 810, as described above, the activation sensorcircuitry 813 senses the presence of the activation signal and sends aninput signal to the controller 804 that indicates that the irrigationcontroller 100 intends to activate watering at the particular irrigationstation/s. Response to this indication, the controller 804 outputs anoutput signal at its data line 832 and a transmit signal at its transmitenable line 834, which cause the transmitter 102 to format a message andmodulate the message onto a carrier and wirelessly transmit a wirelessactivation signal via its antenna, this signal indicating that theparticular station or zone is to begin watering. Any receiver/s pairedto the transmitter and corresponding to that particular station willextract the message from the wireless activation signal and outputsignaling to actuate an irrigation valve. For example, the receiver/s110 send a pulsed activation signal to a latching solenoid. Thetransmitter repetitively re-transmits the wireless activation signalcontaining the message to the receiver approximately every 3.5 secondsuntil the 24 volt signal at the connector 810 is no longer present. Inpreferred form, the controller 804 is configured to randomly vary thetransmission interval between repetitive transmissions of the wirelessactivation signal.

Referring to FIG. 11, a state diagram is shown illustrating operation ofthe transmitter in accordance with one embodiment.

In state 1100, the LCD display is in a home state. In state 1102, theLCD displays a low battery warning (e.g., “Lo Bat”) once a year. The LCDremains in this state until the enter button (shown in FIG. 4) isselected. The low battery warning indicates to a user that a battery forany receiver in the irrigation system should be changed. This warning isbased upon a specific time period (e.g., once a year) and is not areflection of the actually battery life of any of the receivers. As willbe described below, the receiver can indicate to a user an estimation ofthe battery life remaining by flashing a LED sequence. In state 1104,the LCD monitor displays a prompt (e.g., “change”) that asks the user ifthe batteries in the receivers have been changed. If a user selects theenter button, indicating a “yes” response, the LCD display will returnto state 1100. If a user selects the scroll button, indicating a “no”response, the LCD display will return to state 1102.

In state 1100, if a user selects the scroll button, the LCD monitor willgo to state 1106. In state 1106, the transmitter is in a learning mode.The learning mode is used to set codes in one or more receivers suchthat during operation, the code which is unique to one receiver canproperly respond to signals from the transmitter. The specific detailsof the transmitter and receiver signaling is described below withreference to FIGS. 24-28. When in state 1106, if the enter button isselected the LCD monitor changes to state 1108 and displays a prompt(e.g., “Add1c”) that asks the user if a single zone receiver (e.g.,receiver 110A) is going to be added to the irrigation system. Asdescribed above, a receiver can control a single valve or multiplevalves (for example, four valves, e.g., receiver 110B). The followingdescription assumes that the valve is either a single zone receiver or afour zone receiver, however, receivers that control a different numberof valves can also be utilized in accordance with alternativeembodiments. At the bottom of the LCD display there is an indication ofthe different watering zones in the irrigation system (e.g., zones 1through 8 in one embodiment). When in state 1108, any zones that arealready programmed with either a single zone receiver or a four zonereceiver will be lit in order to indicate to the user that a zone isunavailable.

In state 1108, when the enter button is selected by the user the LCDmonitor changes to state 1110 and will display a prompt (e.g., “select”)that asks a user to select a zone to be programmed. The selected zonewill flash indicating which zone will be programmed. When in state 1110when the scroll button is selected, the selected zone will change, forexample, if zone one is flashing and the scroll button is selected, zonetwo will start to flash. Once a user has the desired zone selected, theuser will select the enter button which will cause the display to changeto state 1112. When in zone 1112, the transmitter will send out a“learn” signal (described below in more detail with reference to FIG.28). Any receiver that is in a learning mode (described below withreference to FIG. 29) will learn a code that is unique to the selectedzone. The LCD display will stay in state 1112 for a predetermined lengthof time (e.g., two minutes) while the transmitter continues to transmitthe “learn” signal. Any receiver that is in the learning mode andreceives the “learn” signal will then be paired to the selected zone ofthe transmitter. After the predetermined length of time or when eitherthe scroll button or the enter button is pressed, the LCD monitor willreturn to state 1106.

When in state 1108, if the scroll button is selected, the LCD monitorwill change to state 1114 and will display a prompt (e.g., “Add4c”) thatwill ask a user if a four zone receiver is going to be added to theirrigation system. If the enter button is selected, the LCD monitorchanges to state 1110. In accordance with one embodiment, a four zonereceiver is added to either zones 1-4 or zones 5-8; however, such areceiver may be differently assigned in different embodiments.Therefore, if a single zone receiver has already been added to zone 1,the four zone receiver is added to zone 5-8. In alternative embodiments,the four zone receiver can be added to any four available zones. States1110 and 1112 then repeat as described above.

When in state 1114, if the scroll button is selected the LCD monitorwill change to state 1116 which displays a prompt (e.g., “Del1ch”)asking a user if a single zone receiver going to be deleted from theirrigation system. If the scroll button is selected when in state 1118the LCD monitor will change to state 1122 which displays a prompt (e.g.,“Del4ch”) asking a user if a four zone receiver going to be deleted fromthe irrigation system. When in either state 1116 or 1122, if the enterbutton is selected, the LCD monitor changes to state 1118. When in state1118, a number of a selected zone or zones to be deleted will flash. Forexample, if a single zone is going to be deleted zone one will flash. Ifthe scroll button is selected, zone two will start to flash. Once thedesired zone is flashing, the enter button is selected which changes theLCD monitor to state 1120. When in state 1120, the LCD will display anindication (e.g., “deletd”) that the zone has been deleted from theirrigation system. The LCD monitor will stay in state 1120 for apredetermined amount of time (e.g., 5 seconds) and return to state 1106.

When in state 1122, if the scroll button is selected, the LCD monitorwill change to zone 1124 which displays a prompt (e.g., “delAll”) askingif all zones are going to be deleted from the irrigation system. If theenter button is selected, the LCD monitor proceeds to state 1126. If thescroll button is selected, the LCD monitor will return to state 1106.When in state 1126, the LCD monitor will prompt the user to confirm theywould like to delete all zones in the irrigation system. If the enterbutton is selected the LCD monitor changes to state 1120 (describedabove) and if the scroll button is selected the LCD monitor returns tostate 1106.

When in state 1106, if the scroll button is selected, the LCD monitorchanges to state 1128 which is a test state. If the enter button isselected, the LCD monitor changes to state 1130 and the irrigationsystem runs sends out a test signal. When a receiver receives a testsignal, the receiver will display an information pattern by flashingLEDs that will indicate to a user the received signal strength, batteryvoltage of the receiver and valve position of the receiver. Theoperation of the receiver LEDs will be described below with reference toFIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 12, a perspective diagram is shown illustrating thereceiver shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment. Shown is thereceiver 110, an antenna 1200, a battery housing portion 1204, acircuitry housing portion 1206, an end cap 1208, a mounting portion 1210forming a receptor portion 1211, a slot 1213 and four light emittingdiodes (LEDs) 1212.

The end cap 1208 is fitted onto the battery housing portion 1204 throughmatching threading. The battery housing portion 1204, the mountingportion 1210 and the circuitry housing portion 1206 are preferablyformed from a single mold. Furthermore, in several embodiments, theentire receiver is watertight. That is, the receiver is formed of asingle housing that is sealed watertight. Additionally, the end cap 1208sealingly engages the battery housing portion 1206. The battery housingportion, as shown is preferably designed for receiving a single D-cellbattery that operates at 1.5 volts. The battery (not shown) powerselectronics that are enclosed within the circuitry housing portion 1206and contains a circuit board, controller, radio frequency receiver, etc.Metal contacts (shown and described below with reference to FIGS. 16-19)travel from the terminals of the battery to a circuit board that iswithin the circuitry housing portion 1206. Preferably, the metalcontacts travel through holes in the battery housing portion 1204 thatgo directly into the circuitry housing portion 1206. The antenna 1200protrudes from the circuitry housing portion 1206 and is coupled to theelectronics that are enclosed therein. The antenna 1200 is preferablyflexible such that when the receiver is placed inside of a valve box,the antenna 1200 can bend and easily fit within the valve box.Additionally, the antenna 1200 is fairly long in length, for example,about one foot long. This allows the antenna 1200 to extend to the topof the valve box which is generally above ground or close to the surfaceof the ground such that the receiver 110 better receives signals fromthe transmitter 102. The antenna 1200 is shown and described in moredetail below with reference to FIGS. 22-23. The circuitry housingportion 1206 is filled with a potting material after the circuit boardand electronics are installed to prevent the electronics from beingexposed to moisture.

The circuitry housing portion 1208 includes holes covered with a lighttransmissive material such that the four LEDs 1212 can be seen throughthe holes when the LEDs 1212 are illuminated. In order to provideinformation about the operation of the receiver to a user, the LEDs 1212flash different light sequences to relay specific information. The LEDs1212 can convey, for example, information about received signalstrength, remaining battery strength, and which valve(s) are turned on.

For example, in accordance with one embodiment, in order to indicate toa user the remaining battery strength, the first LED will turn on for ½of a second. All of the LEDs will then turn off for one second.Following, depending upon the battery strength remaining, one or more ofthe LEDs will turn on twice in ¼ second intervals. One LED indicatesthat 20% of the battery power is remaining. Two LEDs flashing indicatesthat 40% of the battery power is remaining. Three LEDs flashingindicates that 60% of the battery power is remaining. Four LEDs flashingindicates that 80% of the battery power is remaining.

In order to indicate to a user an indication of the received signalstrength from the transmitter, the second LED will turn on for ½ of asecond. All of the LEDS will then turn off for one second. Following,depending upon the received signal strength remaining, one or more ofthe LEDs will turn on twice in ¼ second intervals. As above, the numberof LEDs that turn on represents a percentage of signal strengthreceived. Advantageously, this allows a user to place the receiver in adesired position and test the receiver to make sure it will receive asignal having a high enough power level that the system will properlyoperate.

In order to indicate which valve is currently turned on, the third LEDwill turn on for ½ of a second. All of the LEDS will then turn off forone second. Following, depending upon which valve is currently on, oneof the LEDs will turn on twice in ¼ second intervals. The first LEDindicates the first valve is on, the second LED indicates the secondvalve is on, the third LED indicates the third valve is on, and thefourth LED indicates the fourth valve is on.

Advantageously, by having LEDs that can convey information to a user,the receiver does not need to include a display screen. Additionally,the operation of the LEDs utilizes very little power, thus prolongingthe battery life of the receiver as compare to operating a displayscreen.

Referring to FIGS. 13-15, a circuit diagram is collectively shownillustrating the receiver (e.g., the receivers of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 31 and32) in accordance with one embodiment. Shown in FIG. 13 is a batteryregulator circuit 1300, a capacitor charging circuit 1302 (also referredto as a station activation circuit or simply, an activation circuit)including a discharge capacitor 1304, an inductor 1330, a switch 1332,and a diode 1334. FIG. 13 also illustrates a controller 1306 (such as amicrocontroller including a processor and firmware) and a magneticswitch 1308. Shown in FIG. 14 is an antenna 1309, an enabling circuit1310 and an radio frequency (RF) circuit 1312 including an 27 MHz chip1314. Shown in FIG. 15 is a common solenoid activation circuit 1316, afirst solenoid activation circuit 1318, a second solenoid activationcircuit 1320, a third solenoid activation circuit 1322 and a fourthsolenoid activation circuit 1324. A single valve receiver only includesthe common solenoid activation circuit 1316 and the first solenoidactivation circuit 1318. A four valve receiver includes all of thecircuitry shown.

The battery regulator 1300 receives power from a battery, for example, aD-cell battery. Other types of batteries are used in alternativeembodiments, however, a D-cell battery is readily available to anaverage consumer and also stores enough power to ensure the receiverwill function for at least one year without having to change thebattery. The battery provides operational power to the entire receiverand also power to charge the discharge capacitor 1304. The capacitorcharging circuit 1302 receives power from the battery and charges thedischarge capacitor 1304 to at least 7 volts, and preferably to 12volts. The controller 1306 controls the charging of the dischargecapacitor 1304. The discharge capacitor 1304 is charged to at least 7volts, and preferably to 12 volts, so that an activation pulse havingenough voltage and current is output from the receiver to trigger alatching solenoid that operates an irrigation valve. In this manner, aD-cell battery (1.5 volt battery) can be utilized to control a latchingsolenoid. The controller 1306 also provides signaling to drive the LEDs1212 (generically referred to as indicator lights).

In several embodiments, a D cell battery is used. However, a D cellbattery and similar low voltage batteries (such as a AA or AAA battery)are not used in irrigation applications because the D cell battery (andAA and AAA batteries) has a voltage level of only 1.5 volts and thecapacitor 1304 is to be charged to 7 volts or higher, preferably 12 ormore volts in order to actuate a latching solenoid. In most irrigationapplications, a latching solenoid will latch when provided a pulse froma capacitor charged to 7 volts; however, at this voltage level, it isunreliable. Thus, most applications charge a capacitor to at least 7volts, more preferably to at least 10 volts, or at least 12 volts toensure good operation of the latching solenoid. A capacitor chargingcircuit for known battery operated control units that activate alatching solenoid uses a 9 volt battery at a minimum. In this case,since the capacitor should be charged to at least 10 and preferably 12volts, the 9 volt battery is used to charge two capacitors in parallelto 9 volts each. Once both capacitors are charged, the chargedcapacitors are switched to be in series instead of being in parallel,and then discharged. Such charging supply will provide 18 volts, whichis sufficient to activate a latching solenoid. However, it has beenfound that a 9 volt battery does not have the energy density needed fora useful battery lifetime in a practical implementation. That is, a 9volt battery would result in the need to change the battery frequently,which is an inconvenience to most irrigation system operators. A lowervoltage battery, such as a D cell battery has a significantly higherenergy density; however, is impractical to step the 1.5 volts up to evenat least 7 volts, let alone at least 10 volts or at least 12 volts usingthe known capacitor charging supply. That is, one would have to chargeat least 5 capacitors in parallel up to 1.5 volts each, then switch all8 capacitors to a series relationship to achieve a voltage greater than7 volts, then discharge them. To step up to 12 volts with a 1.5 voltsource, one would need at least 8 capacitors in parallel then switchedto series and discharged.

According to several embodiments, a low voltage (e.g., less than 7volts), high energy density battery (e.g., greater than 10Ampere-hours), such as a D cell battery at 1.5 volts and an energydensity of 18 Ampere-hours (20 Ampere-hours for an industrial strength Dcell) is used to charge the discharge capacitor 1304 to at least 7 voltsneeded to activate the latching solenoid, and preferably at least 10 orat least 12 volts. The battery is coupled to the inductor 1330 and theswitch controls the flow of current through the inductor 1330 from thebattery. For example, a square wave output from the controller 1306switches the switch 1332 (e.g., a MOSFET) on and off, which dragscurrent from the battery through the inductor 1330. When the switch 1332is off, the voltage transient across the inductor 1330 is caught by thediode 1334 and pulled into the discharge capacitor 1304. As the switch1330 repeatedly turns on and off, the voltage accumulates on thecapacitor 1304 until it is charged to its intended level, e.g., 12 voltsin this embodiment. Essentially, a boost power supply is used to step upthe voltage from 1.5 volts to 12 volts. In contrast to known capacitorcharging circuits in irrigation control devices operating latchingsolenoids, the capacitor charging circuit 1302 is inductor-based, notbased on switching multiple capacitors from parallel to series.

Thus, in general terms, several embodiments provide a switchedinductor-based capacitor charging circuit is provided to use a lowvoltage battery to charge a capacitor to a voltage at least 5 times ashigh as the voltage of the battery. In one embodiment, a capacitorcharging circuit is provided that uses a battery having a rating of lessthan 7 volts, more preferably no more than 4 volts, and most preferably,no more than 2 volts and charging a capacitor to a voltage level of atleast 7 volts, more preferably, at least 10 volts, or at least 12 voltsin order to actuate a latching solenoid. Accordingly, in one embodiment,the voltage of the battery is between 1-2 volts. In preferred form, thebattery is a D cell battery. In several embodiments, the battery is asingle battery, whereas in other embodiments, the battery is one or morebatteries that add to have a low voltage relative to the voltage levelthat a capacitor is needed to be charged to. Furthermore, a battery orbatteries having an energy density of at least 10 Ampere-hours ispreferred. The higher the energy density, the longer the battery life,and the less frequently the battery will need replacing. It is notedthat while standard AA and AAA batteries provide 1.5 volts and can beused to charge the discharge capacitor 1304 to a level of at least 7volts, it is preferred to use a higher energy density battery/batteries.Additionally, in preferred form, the discharge capacitor is a singlecapacitor. Accordingly, the capacitor charging circuit 1302 provides acircuit that allows a low voltage, high energy density battery to beused to charge a capacitor to a voltage sufficient to actuate a latchingsolenoid coupled to an irrigation valve.

As shown in FIG. 14, the antenna 1309 receives signals from thetransmitter 102 which are input into the RF circuit 1312 and the 27 MHzchip 1314. The enabling circuit 1310, which is activated by thecontroller 1306, provides power to the RF circuit 1312 only when thecontroller is attempting to receive signals. As described herein below,the RF circuit 1312 consumes a large amount of power, thus, the RFcircuit 1312 is only on for a short listening period before going into alonger sleeping period. For example, the RF circuit 1312 will attempt toreceive a signal from the transmitter 102 for four seconds and thenenter a sleep mode for sixteen seconds. In this manner, the life of thebattery is greatly extended. The output from the RF circuit 1312 isinput to the controller 1306.

Additionally coupled to the controller 1306 is the magnetic switch 1308.The magnetic switch 1308 is, for example, a reed switch. As shown belowwith reference to FIG. 29, a magnet is used to close the reed switch.When the reed switch is closed, the receiver is in learning mode. Whenin learning mode the receiver looks for a learn signal from atransmitter 102. Upon receipt of the learn signal from the transmitter,a specific code contained in the learn signal is stored in the receiver.The code provides a transmitter identification and also a stationidentification that corresponds to a watering station or zone for theirrigation system. For example, the transmitter will transmit a learnsignal for a first watering station or zone. During transmission of thesignal, if the receiver is in the learning mode, it will be paired withthe transmitter and the first watering zone. Thereafter, when thetransmitter sends a signal (e.g., a wireless activation signal) thatindicates that the first watering zone should be turned on, the receiverwill send an activation signal to a solenoid. It is noted that the sametransmitter will also send out wireless activation signals for otherstations, and while the receiver is paired to the transmitter, thereceiver only acts on those wireless activation signals that have thesame code (transmitter and station/valve identification). The controller1306 can be switched to a different zone by closing the reed switchagain and sending out a new learn signal from the transmitter.

It is noted that while preferred embodiments used a magnetic switch,other types of switches may be used. For example, since the receiver isintended to be located near moisture, the receiver housing is watertightin several embodiments. Accordingly, the switch 1308 may be any switchsealed within the watertight receiver housing and actuatable fromoutside of the watertight receiver housing, the switch for placing thereceiver in the learn mode. While a magnetic switch, such as areed-switch, is used on some embodiments, a push button switch locatedunderneath a depressible portion of the watertight housing is used inother embodiments. The magnetic switch is used in preferred form toprevent accidental entry to learn mode by touching or handling thereceiver.

Referring to FIG. 15, the common solenoid activation circuit 1316, thefirst solenoid activation circuit 1318, the second solenoid activationcircuit 1320, the third solenoid activation circuit 1322 and the fourthsolenoid activation circuit 1324 form H-bridges that turn on or off alatching solenoid. As described above, a single zone receiver onlyincludes the common solenoid activation circuit 1316 and the firstsolenoid activation circuit 1318. A four zone receiver includes thecommon solenoid activation circuit 1316, the first solenoid activationcircuit 1318, the second solenoid activation circuit 1320, the thirdsolenoid activation circuit 1322 and the fourth solenoid activationcircuit 1324. In order to turn on, for example, a first latchingsolenoid, a 12 volt pulse signal that comes from the discharge capacitor1304 is sent over the output of the first solenoid activation circuit1318. In order to turn off the first latching solenoid, the 12 voltpulse signal is sent to the latching solenoid from the output of thecommon solenoid activation circuit 1316. In a four zone receiver, theother zones function in the same manner.

Referring to FIG. 16, a diagram is shown illustrating the metal contactsfor connecting a battery to a circuit board of the receiver shown inFIG. 12 in accordance with one embodiment. Shown is a circuit board1600, a battery 1602, a negative battery contact 1604, a positivebattery contact 1606, a spring 1608, an end cap contact 1610, a positiveprinted circuit board contact 1612, and a negative printed circuit boardcontact 1614. The plastic molded receiver is not shown.

The battery 1602 includes a positive end and a negative end. When insidethe battery housing portion (shown in FIG. 12), the positive end of thebattery touches the end cap contact 1610. The end cap contact 1610 isattached to the cap shown in FIG. 12. The negative battery contact 1604touches the spring 1608. The end cap contact 1610 is coupled to thepositive battery contact 1606. The positive battery contact 1606 iscoupled to the positive printed circuit board contact 1612 which iscoupled to the printed circuit board 1600. The negative end of thebattery touches the spring 1608 which is coupled to the negative batterycontact 1604. The negative battery contact 1604 is coupled to thenegative printed circuit board contact 1614 which is coupled to theprinted circuit board 1600. The battery 1602 provides power toelectrical components on the printed circuit board 1600 of the receiver.

Advantageously, this embodiment provides one means for connecting theprinted circuit board 1600 (housed in the circuitry housing portionshown in FIG. 12) to the battery 1602 (housed in the battery housingportion shown in FIG. 12). This embodiment removes the need to have wirecontacts manually placed through holes in the receiver molding that gofrom the battery housing to the circuitry housing portion. Further itprevents the need for soldering wires to the printed circuit board 1600after the printed circuit board 1600 is placed within the circuitryhousing portion. This greatly reduces manufacturing costs.

The negative battery contact 1604, the positive battery contact 1606,the spring 1608, the end cap contact 1610, the positive printed circuitboard contact 1612, and the negative printed circuit board contact 1614are all made from conductive material, such as for example, metal.

Referring to FIG. 17, a cross sectional diagram is shown illustrating atop portion of the receiver shown in FIG. 12 in accordance with oneembodiment. Shown is an end cap 1620, the end cap contact 1610, thebattery 1602, the battery housing 1204, and a hole 1624 in the batteryhousing 1204.

The end cap 1620 is attached to the end cap contact 1610. The positiveend of the battery 1602 touches the end cap contact. The end cap contact1620 also touches the positive battery contact 1606. The positivebattery contact goes through the hole 1624 in the battery housingportion 1204. As shown in FIG. 16, the positive battery contact 1606 iscoupled to the positive printed circuit board contact 1612 within thecircuitry housing portion that contains the circuit board.

Referring to FIG. 18, a cross sectional diagram is shown illustrating abottom portion of the receiver shown in FIG. 12 in accordance with oneembodiment. Shown is the battery 1602, the spring 1608, the batteryhousing 1204 and the negative battery contact 1604.

The spring 1608 makes contact with a negative end of the battery 1602.The spring 1608 is connected to a bottom inside portion of the batteryhousing 1204. The negative battery contact 1604 touches the spring 1608.The negative battery contact 1064 also goes through a hole in thebattery housing 1204 similar to the hole shown above in FIG. 17.

Referring to FIG. 19, a cross sectional diagram is shown illustrating aportion of the circuitry housing portion shown in FIG. 12 in accordancewith one embodiment. Shown is the circuitry housing portion 1206, thecircuit board 1600, the battery housing portion 1204, a positive printedcircuit board contact 1612, a positive battery contact 1606 and a holein the battery housing portion 1204 that extends from the batteryhousing portion 1204 to the circuitry housing portion 1206.

The positive battery contact 1606 is placed through the hole in thebattery housing portion 1204 and contacts the positive printed circuitboard contact 1612. The circuit board 1600 also contacts the positiveprinted circuit board contact 1612. Both ends of the positive printedcircuit board contact 1612 have curved portions that act as a clasp andkeep a secure contact between the positive battery contact 1606 and thepositive printed circuit board contact 1612 and between the printedcircuit board 1600 and the positive printed circuit board contact 1612.

Advantageously, the metal contact design described herein with referenceto FIGS. 16-19 eliminates the need for having wires that must besoldered to the circuit board and need to travel from the batteryhousing portion 1204 to the circuitry housing portion 1206.

Referring to FIG. 20, a perspective diagram is shown illustrating areceiver 110 and a corresponding mounting bracket in accordance with oneembodiment. Shown is the receiver 110 including the mounting portion1210 that forms the receptor portion 1211 (generically referred to as amating portion) and including the slot 1213 (generically referred to asan opening). The mounting bracket 2004 includes a square keying portion2006, a top face 2008 and a side face 2010. The top face and the sideface both include a plurality of mounting holes 2012. Additionally, themounting bracket includes a mounting groove 2014. As is shown in FIGS.22 and 23, the mounting groove 2014 aids in mounting the receiver 110 toribs inside of a valve box or its lid.

The square keying portion 2006 is shaped to friction fit into or mate tothe receptor portion 1211 of the receiver 2000 in four differentpositions, thus providing multiple mounting options for a user of thereceiver 110 (See FIG. 21). For example, the keying portion 2006 forms amale portion that inserts into the receptor portion 1211. The interiorsurfaces of the mounting portion 1210 of the receiver 110 contact theexterior surfaces of the keying portion 2006 to frictionally hold thereceiver 110 in place to the bracket 2004. The mounting bracket 2004allows a user to easily mount the receiver 110 inside of a valve box orvalve box lid, on the side of a wall, on a fence, on a post, or on anyother convenient surface. In an alternative embodiment, the receiver 110can be mounted directly onto an irrigation solenoid that is inside oroutside of a valve box (see FIG. 33-34 described below). The pluralityof mounting holes 2012 allow the mounting bracket to be nailed, screwedor otherwise attached to, for example, a wooden, plastic or metalsurface.

Referring to FIG. 21, a perspective diagram is shown illustratingmultiple different mounting options for the mounting bracket 2004. Shownis a first mounting position 2020, a second mounting position 2022, athird mounting position 2024, and a fourth mounting position 2026. Thesquare keying portion 2006 of the mounting bracket 2004 allows themounting bracket 2004 to be coupled to the receiver 110 in the fourmounting positions. The shape of the square keying portion 2006 and themounting portion 1210 forming the receptor portion 1211 of the receiver2002 can be changed in alternative embodiments to allow for a greater orlesser number of mounting options.

Referring to FIG. 22, a perspective diagram is shown of a receivermounted to a valve box lid in accordance with one embodiment. Shown is alid 2200 adapted to be fit over a standard valve box, the lid 2200including a plurality of ridges 2202 or ribs. Also shown is the receiver110 and the mounting bracket 2004.

The mounting groove 2014 of the mounting bracket 2004 fits onto any ofthe plurality of ridges on the bottom of the lid 2200. As shown, thereceiver 110 is mounted in a horizontal position along the bottom of thelid 2200. Alternatively, the receiver 110 can be mounted in a verticalposition, for example, to the inside surface of a valve box, such as isshown in FIG. 23.

Referring to FIG. 23, a perspective diagram is shown of two receiversmounted inside a valve box in accordance with one embodiment. Shown is avalve box 2310, a first receiver 2300, a first mounting bracket 2302, asecond receiver 2304, a second mounting bracket 2306, an opening 2308 ata top surface of the valve box 2310 and a bottom edge or flange 2312 ofthe valve box 2310.

The first receiver 2300 and the second receiver 2304 are both mounted ina vertical position to side walls of the valve box 2310. Although notshown, the antennas of the first receiver 2300 and the second receiver2304 will extend to and touch the lid (not shown in FIG. 23) of thevalve box. Advantageously, the antennas are flexible and thus will bendand extend along the lid of the valve box 2310.

Generally, valve boxes are slightly buried in the ground (e.g., thebottom flange 2312 is underground) with the opening 2308 formed at thetop periphery of the valve box 2310 extending slightly above the groundplane. The lid (e.g., the lid 2200 of FIG. 22) is fit into the opening2308. For example, the lid 2200 of FIG. 22 is turned upside down fromits illustrated orientation and positioned in the opening 2308. Bymounting the first receiver 2300 and the second receiver 2304 in thevertical position to the side walls of the valve box 2310, the antennasof the receivers extend upward and contact an interior portion of thelid and preferably bend and extend along the top of the lid in ahorizontal direction. This allows the receiver to receive signals fromthe transmitter (shown in FIG. 1) having a much higher signal strengthas compared to if the antenna was completely below ground.

As shown, the mounting bracket allows for one or more receivers to beeasily mounted inside of valve box in accordance with one embodiment ofthe irrigation system.

Referring next to FIGS. 33 and 34, in accordance with severalembodiments, the mounting portion 1210 of the receiver that forms thereceptor portion 1211 is adapted to fit over a portion of a standardlatching solenoid housing. FIG. 34 illustrates a conventional solenoidunit 3402 having a threaded end 3404, a top end 3406 opposite thethreaded end 3404, and electrical connection wires 3408. As is wellknown, the threaded end 3404 threads to an irrigation valve (not shown).The electrical connection wires 3408 are for receiving a pulse of powerthat will mechanically actuate the latching solenoid between two states.This actuation moves a plunger 3410 (see in FIG. 33) in and out of thesolenoid unit housing to open and close an irrigation valve. Byphysically turning the solenoid unit 3402 one quarter turn in thedirection of arrow 3412, the latching solenoid is actuated on, whilephysically turning the solenoid unit one quarter turn in the directionof arrow 3414, the latching solenoid is actuated off.

As seen in FIG. 33, the receptor portion (1211) formed by the mountingportion 1210 of the receiver 110 is shaped to frictionally receive andengage the top end 3406 of the solenoid unit 3402. This allows thereceiver 110 to be directly mounted to the solenoid unit 3402. The slot1213 (generically referred to as an opening) in the mounting portion1210 allows the electrical connection wires 3408 to extend out of thereceptor portion for easy electrical connection to electrical outputwires 1215 of the receiver 110. In this embodiment, the top end of thesolenoid unit 3402 extends into the receptor portion 1211 and stopped byridge 3416 on the solenoid unit housing. Since the receiver 110 isfriction fit to the solenoid unit 3402, the receiver 110 itself may bephysically rotated a quarter turn in either direction and the solenoidunit 3402 will also rotate in order to manually actuate the solenoidunit on and off. It is noted that the particular shape of the top end3406 and the receptor portion 1211 may be varied depending on theimplementation.

Referring to FIG. 24, a diagram is shown illustrating signaling from thetransmitter to the receiver in accordance with one embodiment. Shown isa plurality of transmitted messages 2400, a first listening period 2402,a first sleep period 2404, a second listening period 2406 and a secondsleep period 2408.

In accordance with one embodiment, transmitted messages are sent fromthe transmitter in approximately 3.5 second intervals on average.Additionally, the length of time between messages is randomized to bebetween 3 and 4 seconds in order to ensure the receiver will properlyreceive a message taking into consideration of the possibility ofcollisions with other communicating devices (possibly even otherco-located transmitters, such as in FIG. 32). Thus, this random timeinterval between transmission of messages (e.g., wireless activationsignals) prevents repetitive collision of signals. The format of thetransmitted messages according to several embodiments will be discussedin detail below with reference to FIG. 28. In general, the messagestransmitted by the receiver indicate to a receiver that a valve shouldbe turned on. The same message is repeatedly sent by the transmitterapproximately every 3.5 seconds, ensuring the receiver will be able toreceive the message and turn on the valve. Again, in preferred form, thetime interval between re-transmissions is randomized between a pluralityof discrete time intervals. For example, in one embodiment, threedifferent time intervals are available, whereas in another embodiment,11 time intervals between 3 and 4 seconds are available. Given the sleepperiod and accounting for the possibility of other co-locatedtransmitters, in preferred form, the range of 3-4 seconds providesenough of an interval to spread out potentially colliding signalingwhile ensuring that the message will be heard by the receiver. In oneembodiment, briefly referring back to the circuit diagram of FIG. 8, thecontroller 804 of the transmitter 102 periodically samples the status ofthe input connectors (connector 810) by checking the status of the inputpins 807 of the controller 804. When a given input pin 807 is high (as aresult of the activation sensor circuitry 813), this indicates that theirrigation controller has activated the station and that a wirelessactivation signal should be sent to the appropriate receiver. Thecontroller 804 then formats a message (see FIGS. 28-29) and then causesthe message (i.e., the wireless activation signal) to be wirelesslytransmitted. The controller 804 sets a random time delay selected fromone of a plurality of time delays. When the time delay expires, thecontroller 804 re-samples the input pins 807. If the given pin is stillhigh, the controller 804 formats another message (e.g., the samemessage), sets a random time delay and causes the message to betransmitted. Once the time delay expires, the input pins 807 are sampledagain, and so on. This process continues as long as an input pin is high(i.e., as long as the irrigation controller 100 outputs an activationsignal corresponding to a given station). It is noted that thetechniques of randomizing the transmission interval of transmittedwireless signaling may be applied to the transmitters described hereinand also generically to any irrigation control equipment that transmitswireless signals to a receiver. Again, the random transmit intervalensures that the transmitter transmits at irregular intervals so as toreduce the likelihood of repetitive collisions.

Turning to the receiver side, the receiver 110 is on during the firstlistening period 2402 during which the receiver attempts to detect amessage from the transmitter 102. After the first listening period 2402the receiver sleeps (i.e., enters a power saving mode in which the RFcircuit shown in FIG. 14 is not supplied power) during the first sleepperiod 2404 before turning back on during the second listening period.In accordance with one embodiment, the first listening period 2402 andthe second listening period 2406 are approximately 4 seconds in lengthand the first sleep period 2404 and the second sleep period 2408 areapproximately between 14 and 20 seconds. Most of the battery powerconsumed by the receiver occurs when the receiver is listening for amessage. Therefore, by only having the receiver on during the listeningperiods, the battery life of the receiver is greatly increased.

With a few exceptions, the receiver only listens for every fifth messagesent from the transmitter. The messaging scheme depicted helps to ensurethat the receiver properly receives messages from the transmitter whilealso conserving battery power. It should be understood that differenttiming schemes may also be used. For example, the transmitter cantransmit messages more or less frequently and the listening and sleepingperiods can be modified to optimize a desired tradeoff betweenconservation of battery power and the receipt of messages from thetransmitter.

Referring to FIG. 25, a diagram is shown illustrating receipt of acorrupted message in accordance with one embodiment. Shown is aplurality of transmitted messages 2500, a corrupted message 2502, afirst listening period 2506, a first sleep period 2508, a secondlistening period 2510, a second sleep period 2512, a third listeningperiod 2514, and a third sleep period 2516.

During the first listening period 2506, the receiver detects thecorrupted message 2502. Generally after the first listening period 2506,the receiver will sleep for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 20seconds). However, because the corrupted message 2502 was received, thereceiver enters the second listening period 2510 after a very shortperiod of sleeping (i.e., the first sleep period 2508). For example, thefirst sleep period is ¼ of a second in the present embodiment. Inpreferred form, the transmitter sends messages every 3-4 seconds, thus,because the transmitter sent a message that could not be decoded by thereceiver, the receiver will enter the second listening period 2510 inorder to attempt to receive a non-corrupted message as soon as possible.After receiving a non-corrupted message, the receiver will return tonormal operation of listening in 4 second intervals with a period ofsleep in between.

Referring to FIG. 26, a flow diagram is shown illustrating the receiverchecking for messages from the transmitter in accordance with oneembodiment. The flow diagram illustrates the process of the receiverattempting to detect a message from the transmitter while using a smallamount of the battery power.

In step 2600, the receiver sleeps, for example, for approximatelybetween 14 and 20 seconds. In step 2602, the receiver listens for amessage for and checks for a received signal strength. If the receivedsignal strength is above a threshold or jumps from a previous value, thereceiver moves to step 2604 and attempts to capture a message. If thereceived signal strength is below the threshold, the receiver proceedsto step 2600. In step 2604, if there is an error capturing the message,the receiver proceeds to step 2606 and sleeps for ¼ of a second. After ¼of a second, the receiver returns to step 2602. When in step 2604, ifthe message is properly received the receiver proceeds to step 2608. Instep 2608, the message is processed. If there is an error processing themessage, the receiver proceed to step 2606 and if the message isproperly processed, the receiver returns to step 2600.

There are a number of reasons that the receiver can have an error duringeither step 2604 or 2608. For example, the receiver could receive alarge amount of noise at the transmission frequency (e.g., 27 MHz), thereceiver turns on during the middle of a transmitted message, or two ormore transmitters are active at the same time. By only sleeping for ¼ ofa second after the error condition, the receiver will more likelyreceive a valid message during the next listening period.

Referring to FIG. 27, a flow diagram is shown illustrating the operationof the receiver during the listening period shown in FIG. 26 inaccordance with one embodiment. FIG. 27 illustrates a process of thereceiver during step 2602 of FIG. 26.

The function 2726 executes in order for the receiver to listen for amessage to check for the received signal strength. The function 2726loops for four seconds 2728 before exiting.

In step 2700, the receiver hardware is activated. In step 2704, if areceived signal strength indicator is active (step 2702), the receiversamples the signal at five times the data rate. In step 2702, if thereceived signal strength indicator is not active, the process continuesto step 2706. In step 2708, if the received signal strength indicator isactive, the receiver attempts to capture a message from the receiver instep 2710. After attempting to capture the message the hardware isdeactivated in step 2712 and the receiver exits the process in step2714.

In step 2710, the receiver captures a message by sampling a data pin atfive times the data rate. A 4 KHz timing signal is used for the datasampling. The DC level and the amplitude of the signal at the data pinwill vary for the first 50 milliseconds after the receiver is activated.During this period, a simple threshold is not sufficient to convert theA/D readings to 1's and 0's. The receiver uses a high-pass filter todetect the edges in the A/D values. The capture routine expects to startin the header. The format of the messages from the transmitter isdescribed below with reference to FIG. 28. The raw data stream shouldcontain three 1's followed by a stuffed 0. The first non-bit stuffing 0should be the start bit of the first frame of data. From here, thereceiver expects to capture ten frames of data. If the framing (startand stop bits) or bit stuffing is violated at any point, the routinewill exit with an error. An error anywhere in this capture cycle willcause the receiver to execute the minimum sleep cycle and process willstart over.

If a complete message is received in step 2710, this routine will verifythat the CRC is valid and will decode the command field of the message.If the receiver completely receives a valid valve command message from atransmitter that it is not trained to, the receiver will perform theminimum sleep cycle and start listening for another message from itstransmitter. This condition will prevent the receiver from entering itsnormal sleep cycle. Receiving valid messages from other transmitterswill raise the battery consumption at the receiver. If the receiver isin learn mode, it will ignore all message command type except for thelearn command. If the receiver captures a valid learn message and thenumber of valves listed in the message matches the number of valves inthe receiver (1 or 4), then the receiver will store the new transmitterID and valve mask the transmitter ID to flash.

In step 2708, if the received signal strength indicator is not active,the process proceeds to step 2706. During step 2706, the receiverhardware is deactivated. In step 2716, the received signal strengthindicator is filtered. In step 2718, the service watchdog clears a timerin a microprocessor within the receiver in order to keep themicroprocessor operating in an orderly manner. If the timer is notcleared the microprocessor may reset and disrupt the process. Next, instep 2720, the receiver sleeps for 64 milliseconds. In step 2722, theprocess returns to step 2700 if the receiver has been in the listeningmode for less than 4 seconds. If the receiver has been in the listeningmode for more than four seconds, the process exits in step 2724.

Referring to FIG. 28, a diagram is shown illustrating a messaging formatin accordance with one embodiment. The transmitter sends messages to thereceiver in accordance with the following message scheme. Shown is aheader portion 2800 of the message and a data portion 2802 of themessage. Referring to FIG. 29, a diagram is shown illustrating the dataportion 2802 of the message of FIG. 28 in accordance with oneembodiment. Shown is a serial number 2900 (corresponding to bits 0-47),a command portion 2902 (corresponding to bits 48-51), a valve bankportion 2904 (corresponding to bits 52-55), a data portion 2906(corresponding to bits 56-63), and an error correction portion 2908(corresponding to bits 64-80).

It is noted that the message format of FIGS. 28 and 29 in preferred formis modulated onto a carrier signal and transmitted by radio frequencyover the wireless link 116. However, prior to transmission and afterreception, data formatted according to the message format exists atbaseband (i.e., not modulated onto a carrier signal or waveform) and istransmitted and received by various components of the electronics of thetransmitter and receiver.

The header portion 2800 is 64 bits. The header portion 2800 of themessage is used as part of the receiver's message detection scheme. Whenthe receiver is in the listening mode, the receiver attempts to detectthe header portion 2800 of the message. In accordance with oneembodiment, the header portion 2800 of the message is a string of allzeros, thus it can be easily detected the receiver. The data portion ofthe message is 80 bits and contains a transmitter identification number,a command value, a valve bank value, a valve number and errorcorrection. Bits 0-47 are a unique 48 bit serial number that is assignedto the transmitter during manufacturing. Bits 48-51 are allocated todefine sixteen different commands. Currently, only five commands areutilized. The valve bank (i.e., bits 52-55) is used to address up to 128valves. Currently, the transmitter only controls up to 8 valves, thusall the valves are defined by bank zero. The data field (i.e., bits56-63) is used differently depending upon the command being executed.The commands, described in more detail below, use the data bits asfollows. For the CMD_VALVES, CMD_LEARN, and CMD_ERASE commands, each bitof the data field is used to identify one valve. For the CMD_LED_TESTcommand, the data field identifies which test mode to display. The datafield is not used for the CMD_DUMP_LOG command.

As described, bits 48-51 identify specific commands. The first command(CMD_VALVES) sends out the state of all eight inputs from thetransmitter. The inputs are the state of the actuation lines from theirrigation controller. The transmitter will start sending this commandwhenever any actuation line is active. When the valve inputs to thetransmitter change from at least one input active to no active inputs,the transmitter will continue sending this command for 60 seconds toindicate that all valves should be turned off.

The second command (CMD_LEARN) is used to train receivers to thetransmitter. Using the menu buttons, the user may select a single valveor a bank of four valves that should be trained. The transmitter willsend out a CMD_LEARN message for 120 seconds. The data field (i.e., bits56-63) of the CMD_LEARN message will indicate which valve or valves havebeen selected. Any receiver that is in LEARN mode (magnet swiped andLED's scanning) will accept a CMD_LEARN message, overwriting anyprevious transmitter ID and valve position information.

The third command (CMD_ERASE) is used to delete a transmitter ID from aprogrammed receiver. Using the menu buttons, the user may select onevalve, a bank of four valves, or all eight valves to be erased. The datafield is used to indicate which valve positions are affected. Anyreceiver that matches the transmitter ID and contains one of the valvesindicated will erase its stored transmitter ID information.

The fourth command (CMD_TEST) causes all receivers with matchingidentification numbers to display an information pattern (e.g., signalstrength, battery voltage, valve position) using the receiver's LED's.Using the menu buttons, the user may select the test pattern. The datafield is used to identify which data pattern should be displayed.

The fifth command (CMD_DUMP_LOG) contains an event log stored in theflash memory. The user may select this command only by accessing thehidden service menus. Any receiver with a matching ID receiving thiscommand will transmit its log data on the valve 1 wires at 1200 baudusing standard ASCII text.

The messages sent from the transmitter are sent in accordance with thefollowing message format. The 80 bits of message data are transmitted as10 message frames. Each frame contains a start bit, eight data bits, andone stop bit. Start bits are a logic zero, stop bits are a logic one.The least significant bit of the least significant byte is transmittedfirst. The 10 message frames, 100 bits, are preceded by a header. Theheader consist of 60 logical stop bits, all logic ones. These 160 bitsare the logical bit stream.

Additionally, the transmitted data stream must contain regular edges toguarantee message reconstruction at the receiver. Edges are forced intothe bit stream using bit stuffing. If the bit stream contains threezeros in a row, a ‘stuffed’ one is inserted into the bit streamfollowing the third zero. Likewise, if the bit stream contains threeones in a row, a ‘stuffed’ zero is inserted after the third one. Thestart and stop bits are used as two exceptions to normal bit stuffing:

-   -   Case 1—If the stop bit would be the third consecutive one, a        zero is not stuffed. A start bit, a logic zero, will always        follow a stop bit, so that edge is always guaranteed.    -   Case 2—If the three bits preceding a stop bit are all zeros, a        one is not stuffed. The next bit will always be the stop bit, a        logic one, so that edge is always guaranteed.        The stuffed bits guarantee that the RF bit stream will never        stay in the same state for more than 3 bit times. The bit        stuffing increases the transmitted bit stream to roughly 200        bits total.

Therefore, after the message is properly formatted, the header will be80 bits and the data portion of the message will be approximately 120bits depending upon the data being transmitted.

Referring to FIG. 30, a diagram is shown illustrating the receiver witha magnet adjacent to the receiver. Shown is a magnet 3000 and a receiver3002. As described above in order to put the receiver 3002 into learningmode, the magnet 3000 is used to close reed switches (e.g., the magneticswitch 1308 shown in FIG. 13) that are inside the circuitry housingportion 1206 of the receiver 3002. As described above, this magneticswitch 1308 or proximity switch can be generically referred to as aswitch sealed within the watertight receiver housing and actuatable fromoutside of the watertight receiver housing, the switch for placing thereceiver in the learn mode. In one embodiment, the indicator lights 1212light to indicate that the receiver is in learning mode. The receiver3002 then searches for a learn signal from the transmitter. If the learnsignal is received, the receiver is then paired to a zone within theirrigation system and will respond to other control signals from thetransmitter corresponding to the specific watering zone. When atransmitter is sending out a learning signal, any receiver that is inlearning mode and receives the learning signal will be paired to thewatering zone corresponding to the learning signal. In this manner, morethan one receiver can be paired to the same watering zone of theirrigation controller (see FIG. 31, for example).

Several embodiments, as implemented and described herein are provided.One embodiment can be characterized as an irrigation system including awireless link comprising a transmitter coupled to an irrigationcontroller; and a receiver, adapted to receiver a first activationsignal from the transmitter, wherein the receiver sends a secondactivation signal to a solenoid for controlling the operation of a valvewithin a watering zone. In one variation of this embodiment, thereceiver is powered by a battery. In another variation of theembodiment, the solenoid is a latching solenoid.

Another embodiment can be characterized as an irrigation systemincluding a wireless link comprising an irrigation controller having atleast one activation line; a transmitter coupled to the irrigationcontroller through the activation line, wherein the transmitter sends anactivation signal upon receiving a signal from the irrigation controllerover the activation line; and a receiver that activates a latchingsolenoid upon receipt of the activation signal from the transmitter.

A subsequent embodiment can be characterized as a wireless receiver forcontrolling activation of a latching solenoid comprising an antenna forreceiving an activation signal; a controller coupled to the antenna forprocessing the activation signal; and a battery coupled to thecontroller and providing power to the controller, wherein the batteryprovides power to activate a solenoid based upon the processedactivation signal. A variation of this embodiment includes a capacitorcharging circuit for charging a capacitor to a voltage greater than avoltage of the battery. In another variation of this embodiment, thecapacitor sends an activation pulse to the solenoid (e.g., a latchingsolenoid).

Yet another embodiment includes a wireless transmitter for use in anirrigation system comprising a transmitter controller coupled to anirrigation controller, the transmitter controller for processing a firstactivation signal from the irrigation controller; and an antenna forsending a second activation signal to a receiver that controls actuationof a solenoid based on the processed first activation signal.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments and applications thereof, other modifications,variations, and arrangements of the present invention may be made inaccordance with the above teachings other than as specifically describedto practice the invention within the spirit and scope defined by thefollowing claims.

1. An irrigation control system comprising: a transmitter unitcomprising: a connector configured to be coupled to an irrigationcontroller having station actuation output connectors for activatingirrigation stations; a first controller coupled to the connector andconfigured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller hasactivated an irrigation station; a signal transmitter coupled to thefirst controller, wherein responsive to the indication, the firstcontroller is configured to cause a wireless activation signal to betransmitted by the signal transmitter, the wireless activation signalconfigured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely fromthe transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatabledevice; and a user interface comprising one or more user inputs.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the actuatable device comprises an irrigationvalve controlling the flow of water therethrough.
 3. The system of claim1 wherein the connector of the transmitter unit includes a powerconnection configured to be coupled to the irrigation controller toreceive operational power.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein thetransmitter unit further comprises: sensor circuitry coupled to theconnector and the first controller, the sensor circuitry configured tosense an electrical signal applied to one or more of the stationactuation output connectors of the irrigation controller, the electricalsignal providing the indication that the irrigation controller hasactivated the irrigation station.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein theirrigation controller is contained within a first housing and thetransmitter unit is contained within a second housing separate from thefirst housing.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter unit isconfigured to re-transmit the wireless activation signal a plurality oftimes, randomizing a time interval between transmissions.
 7. The systemof claim 6 wherein the first controller is configured to sample an inputof the first controller to receive the indication that the irrigationcontroller has activated the irrigation station; wherein the firstcontroller transmits a given wireless activation signal upon receipt ofthe indication, waits a random time interval, then re-samples the inputand transmits a subsequent wireless activation signal in the event theindication is again received.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the timeinterval between each subsequent transmission of the wireless activationsignal is a time period selected from a plurality of discrete timeperiods.
 9. The system of claim 1 further comprising: the receiver unitcomprising: a signal receiver configured to receive the wirelessactivation signal from the wireless transmitter unit; a secondcontroller coupled to the signal receiver and configured to receive amessage contained in the wireless activation signal; and an activationcircuit coupled to the second controller, wherein responsive to themessage, the second controller is configured to cause the activationcircuit to output signaling to cause the actuator to actuate theactuatable device.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the actuatabledevice comprises an irrigation valve controlling the flow of watertherethrough.
 11. The system of claim 9 further comprising: one or moreadditional receiver units, each configured to be coupled to anadditional actuator coupled to an additional actuatable device, theadditional actuator configured to actuate the additional actuatabledevice, the one or more additional receiver units each configured toreceive the wireless activation signal and in response, cause theadditional actuator to actuate the additional actuatable device.
 12. Thesystem of claim 9 wherein the receiver unit further comprises: a secondcontroller adapted to process a message contained in the wirelessactivation signal having been received; and an activation circuitcoupled to the second controller, wherein responsive to the message, thesecond controller is configured to cause the activation circuit tooutput signaling to cause the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.13. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more user inputs compriseone or more buttons.
 14. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or moreuser inputs are configured to change an operational state of thetransmitter unit when manipulated by a user.
 15. The system of claim 1wherein the one or more user inputs are configured to put thetransmitter unit into a learning mode in order to be paired with thewireless receiver unit when manipulated by a user.
 16. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the one or more user inputs are configured to cause thetransmitter unit to transmit a test signal to the wireless receiver unitwhen manipulated by a user.
 17. The system of claim 1 wherein the one ormore user inputs are configured to allow a user to input a number ofactuators supported by a given wireless receiver unit to be paired tothe transmitter unit.
 18. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or moreuser inputs are configured to allow a user to input one or more of theirrigation stations to associate to the wireless receiver unit.
 19. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the user interface further comprises a displayscreen.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the display screen isconfigured to display which of the irrigation stations are associatedwith the wireless receiver unit.
 21. The system of claim 19 wherein thedisplay screen is configured to display a low battery indicatorassociated with the wireless receiver unit.
 22. The system of claim 19wherein the display screen is configured to display a status of thetransmitter unit.
 23. The system of claim 19 wherein the display screenis configured to display that the transmitter unit has received theindication that the irrigation controller has activated the irrigationstation.
 24. The system of claim 1 wherein the first controller isconfigured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller hasdeactivated the irrigation station and is configured to cause a wirelessdeactivation signal to be transmitted by the signal transmitter, thewireless deactivation signal configured for receipt at the wirelessreceiver unit.
 25. The system of claim 24 wherein the transmitter unitfurther comprises sensor circuitry configured to sense a lapse of theelectrical signal applied to the one or more of the station actuationoutput connectors of the irrigation controller, the lapse of theelectrical signal providing the indication that the irrigationcontroller has deactivated the irrigation station.
 26. The system ofclaim 24 wherein the wireless receiver unit is configured to outputsignaling to cause the actuator to deactuate the actuatable device inresponse to receiving the wireless deactivation signal or in response toexpiration of a predetermined time period.
 27. The system of claim 1wherein the connector comprises an input connector configured to becoupled by wireline to an output connector of the irrigation controller.28. The system of claim 1 wherein the connector comprises an inputconnector configured to be coupled to one or more of the stationactuation output connectors of the irrigation controller.
 29. Anirrigation control system comprising: a transmitter unit comprising: aconnector configured to be coupled to an irrigation controller havingstation actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations;a first controller coupled to the connector and configured to receive anindication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigationstation; and a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller,wherein responsive to the indication, the first controller is configuredto cause a wireless activation signal to be transmitted by the signaltransmitter, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at awireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit andcoupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; the receiver unitcomprising: a signal receiver configured to receive the wirelessactivation signal from the wireless transmitter unit; a secondcontroller coupled to the signal receiver and configured to receive amessage contained in the wireless activation signal; and an activationcircuit coupled to the second controller, wherein responsive to themessage, the second controller is configured to cause the activationcircuit to output signaling to cause the actuator to actuate theactuatable device; wherein the receiver unit further comprises: a secondcontroller configured to process a message contained in the wirelessactivation signal having been received; and an activation circuitcoupled to the second controller, wherein responsive to the message, thesecond controller is configured to cause the activation circuit tooutput signaling to cause the actuator to actuate the actuatable device;and wherein the actuatable device comprises an irrigation valvecontrolling the flow of water therethrough and wherein the activationcircuit comprises: a capacitor configured to be charged to a firstvoltage and configured to be discharged to provide a pulse sufficient toactuate the actuator controlling the irrigation valve; a battery havinga voltage rating at a second voltage, the second voltage less than thefirst voltage, the battery providing operational power to the receiverunit, the second controller and for charging the capacitor; and acapacitor charging circuit comprising: an inductor coupling the batteryto the capacitor; and a switch coupled to the inductor and operated bythe second controller, the switch controls the flow of current throughthe inductor.
 30. The system of claim 29 wherein the capacitor chargingcircuit includes a diode coupling the inductor to the capacitor.
 31. Anirrigation control system comprising: a transmitter unit comprising: aconnector configured to be coupled to an irrigation controller havingstation actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations;a first controller coupled to the connector and configured to receive anindication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigationstation; and a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller,wherein responsive to the indication, the first controller is configuredto cause a wireless activation signal to be transmitted by the signaltransmitter, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at awireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit andcoupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; the receiver unitcomprising: a signal receiver configured to receive the wirelessactivation signal from the wireless transmitter unit; a secondcontroller coupled to the signal receiver and configured to receive amessage contained in the wireless activation signal; and an activationcircuit coupled to the second controller, wherein responsive to themessage, the second controller is configured to cause the activationcircuit to output signaling to cause the actuator to actuate theactuatable device; wherein the receiver unit further comprises: a secondcontroller configured to process a message contained in the wirelessactivation signal having been received; and an activation circuitcoupled to the second controller, wherein responsive to the message, thesecond controller is configured to cause the activation circuit tooutput signaling to cause the actuator to actuate the actuatable device;and wherein the activation circuit comprises: a capacitor configured tobe charged to a voltage of at least 7 volts and configured to bedischarged to provide a pulse sufficient to actuate the actuatorcontrolling the irrigation valve; a battery having a voltage rating ofless than 7 volts, the battery providing operational power to thereceiver, the second controller and for charging the capacitor; and acapacitor charging circuit coupling the battery to the capacitor. 32.The system of claim 31 wherein the battery comprises a D cell batteryhaving a voltage rating of 1.5 volts.
 33. An irrigation control systemcomprising: a transmitter unit including a first controller and a userinterface comprising one or more user inputs, the transmitter unithaving a connector configured to be coupled to an irrigation controllerhaving station actuation output connectors for activating irrigationstations; the first controller configured to receive an indication thatthe irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the firstcontroller configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit awireless activation signal responsive to the indication; and a receiverunit configured to be coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatabledevice, the actuator configured to actuate the actuatable device, thereceiver unit configured to receive the wireless activation signal andin response, cause the actuator to actuate an irrigation valve.
 34. Thesystem of claim 33 wherein the user interface further comprises adisplay screen.
 35. An irrigation controller comprising: amicrocontroller configured to generate control signals to activateirrigation at one or more irrigation stations in accordance with one ormore watering programs; and a wireless transmitter coupled to themicrocontroller and configured to transmit a wireless activation signalresponsive to the control signals to one or more receiver units coupledto the one or more irrigation stations, wherein the wireless transmitteris configured to periodically re-transmit the wireless activationsignal, randomizing a time interval between transmissions.
 36. Thecontroller of claim 35 wherein the time interval between subsequenttransmissions of the wireless activation signal is a time period between3 and 4 seconds.
 37. The controller of claim 35 wherein the timeinterval between each subsequent transmission of the wireless activationsignal is a time period selected from a plurality of discrete timeperiods.